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In the ever-evolving world of college football, coaching is everything. The leadership and decisions made by head coaches shape the trajectory of teams, influence recruiting, and ultimately dictate the success or failure of a football program. With so many legendary figures in the sport’s history, it’s a subject of constant debate and admiration to pinpoint who can lay claim to the title of the best coach of all time. Recently, University of Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian made waves when he appeared to openly admit who he believes is the best coach in football history. The comments have sparked a whirlwind of conversation among fans, analysts, and rival programs alike.

While Sarkisian has made a name for himself in the coaching world with his offense-heavy schemes and success at Texas, his acknowledgment of this legendary figure adds an interesting layer to his own coaching identity. In this blog post, we will delve into the context surrounding Sarkisian’s comments, explore the impact of this acknowledgment on his career, and discuss the broader implications for the college football coaching landscape. We’ll also analyze the qualities that define greatness in coaching and why Sarkisian’s opinion holds weight within the football community.

### Steve Sarkisian’s Coaching Journey

Before we examine the implications of Sarkisian’s remarks, it’s important to understand who he is and how his own coaching career has shaped his perspective on what makes a great coach. Sarkisian began his coaching career as an assistant coach at several schools before landing his first head coaching gig at Washington in 2009. After a few seasons with mixed results at Washington, Sarkisian moved on to USC, where he took the reins of a program that had been embroiled in controversy.

Though his time at USC didn’t produce the same level of success as his predecessor Pete Carroll, Sarkisian earned respect for his offensive mind and ability to recruit top-tier talent. In 2021, he was hired by the University of Texas as head coach of the Longhorns. Sarkisian inherited a program in transition, and his task was clear—revitalize a historically great program that had been struggling to reclaim national prominence. Despite a rocky start, Sarkisian’s offensive acumen and vision for Texas has brought hope to fans and has shown tangible improvements in the team’s performance.

Through all of his stops, Sarkisian has encountered a variety of coaching styles and philosophies. His experience under mentors like Nick Saban at Alabama and his own stints as a head coach in different environments have no doubt shaped his understanding of what makes a coach great. Given Sarkisian’s own success and the mentorship he’s received, it is perhaps unsurprising that he has come to a conclusion about who stands as the greatest in football history.

### The Comments That Made Waves

Sarkisian’s comments came in a press conference or public appearance, where he was asked a general question about coaching greatness and the legacy of top coaches in the sport. In a moment of candidness, Sarkisian appeared to allude to the fact that Nick Saban, head coach of Alabama, was his pick for the greatest football coach of all time. While he didn’t explicitly state Saban’s name in the form of a direct declaration, his admiration for the Alabama head coach was unmistakable.

Sarkisian, who had spent time as an offensive coordinator under Saban at Alabama, explained how much he had learned from the legendary coach and how Saban’s approach to discipline, leadership, and strategy had shaped his own coaching philosophy. He spoke of Saban’s consistency, his ability to maintain a dominant program, and his knack for getting the best out of his players and coaching staff. Sarkisian, with a humble acknowledgment of his own position in the coaching hierarchy, essentially affirmed Saban’s legacy and influence on the sport.

For many, this moment was significant, as it wasn’t just another praise of a successful coach—it was a recognition of someone who has achieved a level of sustained excellence that is unparalleled in the modern era. In the eyes of Sarkisian and countless others in the football community, Saban’s unmatched success, work ethic, and commitment to excellence place him atop the coaching pedestal.

### Why Nick Saban is the GOAT of Coaching

To truly understand why Sarkisian—and many others in the football world—would consider Nick Saban the best coach in football history, it’s important to look at Saban’s extraordinary record and the factors that have contributed to his legacy. Saban’s career, spanning decades, has been defined by consistent dominance and an ability to adapt to changing times while maintaining the fundamentals of winning football.

Saban’s track record speaks for itself. As head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Saban has led the team to an astonishing seven national championships, making him the winningest coach in modern college football history. Beyond championships, his overall win-loss record and his ability to rebuild teams after losses or down years are unparalleled. His teams are known for their discipline, attention to detail, and ability to execute under pressure—all qualities that have made him a coach other programs have tried (and failed) to emulate.

Another key reason why Saban is often considered the greatest is his longevity and ability to maintain a high level of success for over two decades. While many coaches rise to prominence quickly, few are able to stay relevant and dominate at the highest levels over such a prolonged period. Saban has done this by constantly evolving with the times—adapting to the changes in offensive and defensive schemes, recruiting the best talent, and developing elite players year after year.

Saban has also been a mentor to many young coaches, including Steve Sarkisian. Under Saban’s tutelage at Alabama, Sarkisian learned the intricacies of coaching a high-caliber program and the value of creating a culture of excellence. Saban’s attention to detail, focus on player development, and ability to recruit top-tier talent have been integral to his success. It is this legacy that Sarkisian has carried with him and continues to emulate as he builds his own program at Texas.

### Sarkisian’s Admiration for Saban

Sarkisian’s acknowledgment of Saban as the best coach is not merely an exercise in flattery; it reflects a deep appreciation for Saban’s methods and philosophy. Having had the privilege of working under Saban at Alabama, Sarkisian has a unique vantage point from which to observe Saban’s coaching genius. Sarkisian’s recognition of Saban as the best is grounded in firsthand experience, and it is an acknowledgment of the impact that Saban’s principles have had on him personally and professionally.

Sarkisian has often spoken about the lessons he learned from Saban during his time as the offensive coordinator at Alabama. Saban’s leadership and focus on discipline and fundamentals left an indelible mark on Sarkisian, and he continues to apply these lessons in his own coaching career. Sarkisian’s respect for Saban goes beyond just his success on the field; it also encompasses Saban’s ability to develop strong, cohesive teams and maintain a culture of winning year in and year out.

### What Does This Mean for Sarkisian’s Future?

Sarkisian’s admiration for Nick Saban does not diminish his own ambitions as a head coach. Rather, it serves as a reminder of the high standard of coaching that Sarkisian aspires to reach. By acknowledging Saban’s greatness, Sarkisian also demonstrates his own humility and desire to continually learn and improve as a coach. He understands that becoming a legend in the coaching world requires more than just strategy—it requires consistency, adaptability, and the ability to inspire greatness in others.

Sarkisian’s future at Texas looks bright, and if his program continues to evolve and improve, he may one day be included in the conversation about the greatest coaches in football history. For now, though, his respect for Nick Saban only further solidifies the fact that, while Sarkisian may be climbing the ranks, Saban remains the gold standard in coaching.

### Conclusion

In the world of college football, coaching greatness is often defined by championship victories, sustained success, and the ability to inspire greatness in others. Steve Sarkisian’s recent comments about Nick Saban’s legacy and his admiration for the Alabama coach reaffirm that, in the eyes of many, Saban is the best coach in football history. Through his own coaching journey, Sarkisian has not only witnessed Saban’s brilliance firsthand but has also adopted many of the principles that have made Saban so successful.

As Sarkisian continues to build the Texas Longhorns into a perennial contender, it’s clear that he has learned valuable lessons from Saban—lessons that may one day help him achieve similar greatness. For now, though, he recognizes that Saban’s legacy serves as the benchmark for all coaches to aspire to, and it’s a reminder of the hard work, dedication, and excellence required to be considered the best of all time.