How Much Did Alabama Pursue Steve Sarkisian After Nick Saban Retirement?

According to reports from ESPN, Alabama decision-makers knew Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian was never going to leave Austin.

When legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban retired after the end of the college football season, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian was immediately suspected by many to be an ideal replacement.

In fact, after his success in turning Texas around, a handful of pundits even connected Sarkisian to Alabama as the 'ideal' candidate to succeed Saban.

Understandably, many Texas fans were holding their breath, anxious to see what their head coach would decide to do. However, according to a report from ESPN's Chris Low, the Tide never considered Sarkisian.

Why? Because they knew he was never going to leave Austin.

© Scott Wachter, USA TODAY

"Texas' Steve Sarkisian, who, like Kiffin, is also represented by Sexton, was another prominent name mentioned in media reports," Low wrote. "But Alabama's leadership knew Sarkisian wasn't going to leave Texas, especially with the Longhorns moving to the SEC next season."

"As expected, Sarkisian sent out a social media post at 11:50 p.m. ET that Thursday saying it was a great day to be a Longhorn with a "Horns up" image. A day later, ESPN reported that Sarkisian was nearing a deal for a contract extension with Texas."

With Sarkisian's massive extension inked, Sarkisian will remain in Austin for the foreseeable future. After all, if Alabama isn't a threat to steal Sarkisian, then quite frankly, no one is. 

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Now, the Horns will make their trek into the SEC, where they will immediately be among the favorites to win the conference. 

And Sarkisian will hope to turn Texas into the 'new Alabama.'