The Atlanta Falcons had plenty of time to prepare for the inevitable, so it should not be a surprise that the day after offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan officially became the 49ers’ head coach, his replacement was identified.
The Falcons annouced Tuesday morning the hiring of Steve Sarkisian as the new offensive coordinator. Sarkisian leaves Alabama after working as an analyst in the football program since the beginning of the season. He was promoted to become coach Nick Saban's offensive coordinator for the national championship game.
Sarkisian replaced Lane Kiffin and called plays in the Crimson Tide’s 35-31 loss to Clemson in the final game of the season. Kiffin was removed from his post after accepting the job as head coach of Florida Atlantic.
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Sarkisian was fired as coach of USC after just five games of his second season after he struggled publicly with alcohol issues. In five years at Washington, after inheriting a 0-12 team, Sarkisian’s teams went 34-29.
Former 49ers and Oregon coach Chip Kelly was reported as a candidate for the Falcons’ offensive coordinator position.