Real Reason Sark Left Alabama?
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Frustrations Existed Between Saban & Sarkisian
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Rumors have it that a disagreement in philosophy for the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive scheme is the real reason behind the departure of former Bama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Bud Elliot of SB Nation says that "frustrations between the two (Alabama football head coach Nick Saban and Sarkisian) led to Sark jumping to the Atlanta Falcons."
Elliot reports that meetings between Saban and Sarkisian following the national championship game led to a deterioration of the relationship. He also reported that there would have been a parting of the ways, mutually-agreed upon, following National Signing Day anyway. Saban was fully aware of the contact made to Sarkisian by the Atlanta Falcons, and it appears that Saban made no effort to stop the move.
One of the sources said that the "problems" between Saban and Sarkisian were similar to those of Saban and Kiffin. Saban felt that the arrangement wasn't going to work out.
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Alabama Women's Basketball Falls To Texas A&M
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Alabama women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry said, "Credit Texas A&M [last night]. I thought that they really did the things that they had to do. We didn't respond very well."
It was junior Meoshonti Knight leading the Crimson Tide in scoring with 11 points on the night. Also scoring in double-digits was junior Coco Knight with one of her best games of the season just one point back at 10 points. Knight also collected four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 21 minutes off the Bama bench. Leading Alabama on the boards was junior Ashley Williams with a game-high 10 rebounds. Texas A&M had three players to finish in double figures, led by junior Khaalia Hillsman and sophomore Danni Williams with 19 points apiece. Sophomore Anriel Howard recorded a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Crimson Tide shot a paltry 18-of-58 (31.0 percent) from the floor while the Aggies hit on 28-of-55 (50.9 percent). Bama's bench was good for 30 points as opposed to only six from A&M.
Curry commented, "I didn't like the response a couple of our kids had on the defensive end and rebounding. Your shot may not always fall, but it's always the size of your heart and your energy and your effort on the boards. At the end of the day, hats off to those guys (Texas A&M). We will move forward and try and bounce back against Florida."
Alabama will host the Florida Gators at Coleman Coliseum this Sunday in its annual Power of Pink/Play for Kay game. Game time is 1 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
| Game Stats | UA | TAMU |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | .310 | .509 |
| 3FG% | .250 | .375 |
| FT% | .571 | .833 |
| RB | 32 | 36 |
| TO | 12 | 13 |
| STL | 7 | 4 |
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Sarkisian Explains His Departure From Alabama
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| Former Bama football offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Former University of Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian recently spoke on his decision to leave The Capstone and the Crimson Tide football team via media teleconference on Thursday. Sark is now the offensive coordinaor of the Super Bowl runner-up Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.
Part of the job as offensive analyst, the position held by Sarkisian before being named offensive coordinator in December after then-OC Lane Kiffin announced his departure to FAU as the new head coach, was to watch and track professional football teams, of which the Atlanta Falcons was one. Then Sark took the vacant position and was placed into the role early with Bama when it was decided he would be coaching the national championship game between Alabama and Clemson. It would be the only game in which Sarkisian would lead the Alabama offense.
So the call came from Atlanta and Sark accepted the position and had to let his current boss, Alabama football head coach Nick Saban know he was leaving. Sark said that Saban took the news well.
Sarkisian stated, "He was really good. He was understanding. Obviously, he would have loved for me to stay but he was understanding. I know Coach Saban and the University of Alabama, they're in a good place. They'll hire a really good coordinator and they're still going to win a lot of games.
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"I couldn't be more grateful to Coach Saban and everybody at the University of Alabama. It's a tremendous organization. He's not only a great coach but a great man. I'm fortunate that I was able to work for him in the past six months. I'm fortunate to call him a friend and I really appreciate all he did for me. I'm excited and looking forward to this upcoming season. They have a heck of a football team with some really talented young players."
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Sixth Ranked Alabama Gymnastics
To Face No. 10 Kentucky
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
The Crimson Tide will come into this weekend after an exciting best-meet of the season victory over the third-ranked Florida Gators. Bama won the meet 197.825-197.425 at Coleman Coliseum.
Alabama gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth commented, "We set the thermostat last week against Florida, and now we have to take that heat on the road with us to Lexington and have that same kind of performance. "
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Alabama Men's Tennis Heads To Oklahoma
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Today's match would be the fifth meeting between Alabama and Oklahoma State, with the Cowboys holding a 4-0 advantage in the series. The last time the two teams competed against each other was during the 2016 season, with the Cowboys winning a 4-0 contest. The Cowboys currently have an undefeated record at 5-0, and they have three singles players and two doubles teams that are nationally-ranked.
Sunday's match against the Oklahoma Sooners will be the eighth meeting between the two programs. The Sooners lead the series 3-4. The Sooners took a 5-2 victory in the last meeting last year. The last win for Bama came in 2008 with a 4-0 win. The Sooners currently have an overall record at 5-1, and have three singles players and two doubles teams that are nationally-ranked.
