Steve Sarkisian to Alabama: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Steve Sarkisian has found a home after being fired by USC in October 2015 amid reports of substance abuse issues. The former Trojans head coach agreed to become an offensive analyst with Alabama, where he'll serve under Nick Saban.

Saban announced during a Monday press conference he hired Sarkisian, adding he's "glad to have [Sarkisian] as part of the organization."

Sarkisian, 42, has been angling for an assistant coaching job for some time. He began putting out NFL "feelers" after the regular season ended, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, and he found some interest—albeit understandably tepid.

Hired by USC before the 2014 season after a five-year run at Washington, Sarkisian went 9-4 in his first campaign before off-field problems derailed his career. He showed up at a donor event in August 2015 appearing intoxicated and belligerent, publicly cursing while giving a speech before being pulled off the stage by USC officials.

ESPN's Shelley Smith reported USC instituted a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol use, which Sarkisian broke when he arrived to team facilities in October allegedly appearing intoxicated. The school placed him on an indefinite leave of absence Oct. 11 before firing him a day later.

An ESPN.com report indicated some within the program believed he was drunk during a game against Arizona State, which the Trojans won 42-14. (Sarkisian has since filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against USC.)

Sarkisian, who sought treatment amid the controversy and checked into rehab, previously served three seasons at USC as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach before spending 2004 as the Oakland Raiders' quarterbacks coach. He then returned to USC in 2005, where he emerged as one of the nation's top assistants under Pete Carroll, before departing in 2009. Hired as the head coach at Washington, Sarkisian led the Huskies to four bowl games in five seasons, compiling a 34-29 record.

Alabama's hiring of Sarkisian based on his coaching resume isn't surprising. That it's willing to take a risk less than a year after his off-field issues emerged is a bit more of an eye-opener.