Other than Scarbinsky who at least hinted at the fact that it was a bad deal, the al.com take on Sloppy Steve Sarkisian has been comical at best, fawning at worst.
In the beginning when nobody would touch the guy after his boozy fallout in LA, Saban was feted as a magnanimous hero for taking him in and giving him a chance to rebuild his image. We know from past history that had he landed anywhere else the reaction would have been scorn, derision and mockery.
When Kiffin left, was fired, quit, whatever... the take (from all but Scarbinsky) was that the Tahd was in capable hands, he knew the deal, was intimately involved in planning every week and there was little chance of drop off. He was going to keep things moving and maybe the offense would even be better next year under his guidance.
When Slimy Steve skipped town? Most other sites with any insight indicated there were "disagreements" between Stevie and Nicky. That Steveo may have chafed under the dictatorial elfin rule.
But not at al.com.
Saban wasn't surprised, the timing of the fact that Sark waited until there was a job opening to announce his move proved that Saban knew all along. He probably wanted him gone. This is a good thing because now Saban will just get the best coach in the world - like he's always done. Any coach in the business, from Chip Kelly to Bill Belichick would crawl through a briar patch to serve at the knee of the mighty midget. It will be an improvement. And, really, does Alabama even need an offensive coordinator?
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/02/alcom_all-access_does_the_offe.html#incart_most-commented_alabamafootball_articleSeriously.
No one should minimize Saban's influence on the offensive success. Yes, Kiffin, McElwain and Nussmeier found ways to maximized Bama's talent, but Saban is always the boss.
Will Saban continue Bama's offensive evolution by bringing in Kelly or will Mike Locksley quickly go from co-offensive coordinator to the Tide's lone offensive coordinator?
It won't matter. There's a generation of evidence that the Saban offense works, no matter who sits in the offensive coordinator's office.First it was the defensive coordinator that didn't matter because Saban was the master of defense. Now the offensive coordinator doesn't matter because Saban is the master of offense.