Steve Sarkisian left Alabama on Tuesday for the Falcons' offensive coordinator job, and it didn't take long for names to emerge for the now open position.
Videos by FanBuzz
According to FOX's Bruce Feldman, the top emerging candidates for the job are former Oregon head coaches Mark Helfrich and Chip Kelly, and Texans offensive coordinator and former Georgia Tech quarterback George Godsey.
Names I'm told could get consideration for #Alabama OC: Mark Helfrich, Chip Kelly & George Godsey who is tight with OL coach Brent Key.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 7, 2017
Kelly is obviously going to be the hottest name out of that bunch, as he will be looking to rehab his image after some failed time in the NFL. Kelly's up-tempo offense at Oregon would be an interesting fit and potentially fun fit with quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Helfrich would be similar to Kelly in that respect, but he doesn't have the name value that Kelly does. Godsey is an interesting decision, as he's had difficult pieces to work with on the Houston staff.
Sarkisian leaving Alabama for the Atlanta Falcons
Well this was a short stay at Alabama.
Huffington Post reporter Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be leaving Alabama in order to take the offensive coordinator job with the Atlanta Falcons.
Source confirms that Steve Sarkisian is all but certain to be named the #Falcons next offensive coordinator. Announcement forthcoming.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 7, 2017
Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport later confirmed the news, and the Falcons later announced the move via their Twitter account.
Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian is poised to replace Kyle Shanahan as Falcons' new OC, as @Schultz_Report reported.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2017
The #Falcons are set to lure #Bama OC Steve Sarkisian away to be their OC and replace Kyle Shanahan, as @Schultz_Report reported.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 7, 2017
The Falcons have agreed with Steve Sarkisian to become Atlanta’s offensive coordinator.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) February 7, 2017
The Falcons are looking for a new offensive coordinator as Kyle Shanahan is set to become the next head coach with the San Francisco 49ers. Sarkisian has limited NFL experience, but he does apparently have a past relationship with the Falcons.
When Sarkisian was unemployed he spent some time at Falcons training camp, but this still makes no sense to me https://t.co/wfNwv80O1O
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) February 7, 2017
Sarkisian was promoted to Alabama's offensive coordinator just before this year's national title game, as Lane Kiffin officially left to take the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic. With Sark now gone, Alabama will be on their third offensive coordinator in just over a month.
