The Alabama Crimson Tide are, in many ways, the foundational pillar on which modern football rests. As hyperbolic as that may sound, it rings true if you have one look across the landscape. The house that Nick Saban built has been a revolving door of talent and coaches. Some of the best in the game, on the gridiron or on the sideline, have traversed through Tuscaloosa.

This also applies to 2 coaches who are now at the helm of premier programs. Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian. Both current head coaches were once offensive staff members in various capacities under Saban, including offensive coordinator. So when one former Bama alum, a legend in his right, discusses his tenure with the two, his word carries weight. 

This player is 2x National Champ Damien Harris. The running back was at Alabama from ‘2015-’19, a time which coincided with both coaches having spells as OC. In an interview with former USC QB Matt Barkley, the discourse touched upon Lane Kiffin, under whom they both had played. Barkley claimed, “I can say with 100% confidence [Kiffin] is probably the best playcaller I’ve ever been around”. To this, Damien Harris fascinatingly concurred.

“I loved playing for Lane. He was hell in a handbasket at times. But when you talk about playing for a guy that knows how to get the most out of you, know how to get players open. Like if you’re a skill guy- if you’re a running back, if you’re a tight end, you’re a receiver or [even] as a quarterback. Just opening the field up and just creating an environment. Where you can take shots, you can take some risk, get some big profits…he knows how to out scheme defenses”, said Harris. He then went on to drop the bombshell. “I would say after Kiffin, Steve [Sarkisian] has definitely got to be the second best play caller that I ever played with” 

A convoluted statement without the full context of the conversation, but a resounding one nevertheless. Speaking of context, It is important to know the circumstances of each coach’s time in Bama. Damien Harris and Matt Barkley sure waxed lyrical about Kiffin. However, one or two facets give him the edge in this comparison with Steve Sarkisian.

Damien Harris’ statement perhaps should be taken with a pinch of salt

Lane Kiffin was at the Tide for 3 years. He was offensive coordinator for almost the entirety of that time. Meanwhile, Steve Sarkisian was an offensive analyst in the 16/17 season. Time and a superior role in calling the offense were in Kiffin’s favor during Damien Harris’ time. 

Sarkisian had another stint at Alabama as OC in the 2019/20 season, However Harris was already a graduate by then. The only game Sarkisian was formally OC with Harris is, interestingly, the National Championship game in 2016, when Kiffin was abruptly relieved of his duties due to his preconceived contract to join Florida Atlantic as head coach. Sarkisian stepped in for that singular game, and they lost the Natty to Clemson.

It is undeniable that Lane Kiffin is an offensive genius. Everywhere he’s been the program has scored bulk points. Albeit he would actually be wishing his magic worked just a little more over the weekend. It is worth keeping in mind that Sarkisian is no slouch either. The debate between who’s the better play-caller isn’t set in stone.