Sports
Steve Sarkisian’s First Challenge At Texas
As Sarkisian has grown and matured in the years since several alcohol-related incidents led to his dismissal at USC, he’s put increasing emphasis on the value of his assistants.
Sarkisian compared being a first-time head coach to a fire hose and admitted that he initially tried to solve all of the problems by himself.
“At times you don’t instill enough trust and faith in the staff that you hire,” Sarkisian said in an introductory Zoom call with reports on Saturday. “But I think now having spent some time in the National Football League, having spent obviously the last two years with Coach Saban here at Alabama, you realize the value in the staff in why you hire such a good staff is to put people in place to do what you’re asking them to do. I think that takes some of the burden off of your shoulders as the head coach and allows you to manage people and not overreact to some of the other things that are going on and allow those people to do what they do. And I think that keeps you focused, I think it keeps you grounded.”
Putting together an initial coaching staff is an area that confounded Charlie Strong and Tom Herman.
Strong was forced to fire two of his assistants after his first season, including Bruce Chambers, the lone holdover from the Mack Brown era, then fired his offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Whether Strong simply didn’t receive the necessary support from the administration to make better hires or merely made the wrong choices decreases in importance because he repeatedly made offseason decisions during the season.
Herman believed that bringing most of his Houston staff with him would provide the program alignment he sought, but failures in development and a disappointing regular season forced Herman to fire both coordinators and replace five other assistant coaches last year.
The replacements hired by Herman had some success this season, particularly defensive coordinator Chris Ash and his staff, so Sarkisian’s first challenge will be deciding whether he wants to retain any of Herman’s assistants.
Prior to meeting with the media on Saturday, Sarkisian held an initial call with the assistants and will conduct individual interviews over the coming days, although those discussions may be put on hold until Sarkisian finishes coaching for Alabama in the national championship game.
According to Bruce Feldman,Sarkisian has not made decisions about the support staff.
Beyond the social media team, which has done an excellent job in recent years, two potentially easy decisions for Sarkisian would include retaining Director of High School Relations Bob Shipley and Director of Recruiting Bryan Carrington. Multiple current and former players have already advocated for Carrington and his retention would allow for some continuity in 2021 and 2022 recruiting. Shipley has longtime ties to Texas high school football coaches that would benefit Sarkisian, who has never coached in the state.
Ash’s return, along with a rising young assistant like cornerbacks coach Jay Valai or longtime defensive line coach Oscar Giles, could provide some key on-field continuity and help avoid transfers on that side of the ball after Ash’s defense improved significantly throughout the season and played well in the bowl game despite losing four starters to opt outs.
However, there is a big name on the market who is already connected to the job and has previous ties to Texas — former Florida and South Caroline head coach Will Muschamp, who was named the head coach in waiting for Mack Brown several lifetimes ago. While Muschamp has failed as a head coach in both of his previous stops, he’s still highly regarded as a defensive mind.
Footballscoop also mentioned one of Muschamp’s former players at Texas, Ole Miss special teams coordinator Blake Gideon, who has coached defensive backs in the past and looks like a rising young coach. He’s gone from Western Carolina to Georgia State to Houston and now to Ole Miss over the last four years. When Muschamp spent one season as the Auburn defensive coordinator in between his head coaching jobs at Florida and South Carolina, he hired Gideon as a graduate assistant.
Sarkisian could also choose to bring one or more assistants with him from Alabama.
The premier name is Kyle Flood, the former Rutgers head coach who worked with Sarkisian with the Falcons before joining him in Tuscaloosa. It was Flood who helped convince the Brockermeyer brothers to spurn their Texas ties and sign with Alabama. As an offensive line coach, Flood would represent a home-run hire, but he could also serve as Sarkisian’s offensive coordinator, a title he held at Rutgers before taking over the program.
Another intriguing Alabama assistant could bring recruiting ties to the state. Jeff Banks currently serves as the tight end coach and special teams coordinator for the Crimson Tide after spending five years with the Aggies. As a recruiter, Banks was instrumental in helping Alabama land former Texas quarterback commit Jalen Milroe and consensus five-star running back Camar Wheaton in the 2021 recruiting class.
Banks isn’t the only high-level recruiter initially connected to Sarkisian, though, with FootballScoop floating the name of Tosh Lupoi. In 2019, Lupoi made the jump to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and moved on to the Atlanta Falcons this season adding the title of defensive run game coordinator. It’s not clear whether Lupoi would consider returning to the college game, but he does have experience working with Sarkisian at Alabama and at Washington.
However Sarkisian chooses to assemble his staff, his previous experiences and the experiences of his two predecessors make it clear how important those initial decisions will be in determining whether Sarkisian succeeds or fails in Austin.
Sports
Adron Homes Champions Sports Sponsorship and Talent Discovery with 7th Edition of Adron Games
Adron Homes Champions Sports Sponsorship and Talent Discovery with 7th Edition of Adron Games
After six successful editions, Adron Homes & Properties continues to play a pivotal role in the development of sports and talent discovery in Nigeria through its annual sporting event, the Adron Games. What began as a corporate wellness initiative has now grown into one of the nation’s premier platforms for identifying and nurturing young talents, while promoting physical fitness and community engagement.
The 2024 edition, themed “Fit to Be the Biggest”, marks the 7th consecutive year of Adron Games, further cementing the company’s commitment to the sponsorship of grassroots sports. With each edition, Adron Homes not only creates a space for corporate teams and individuals to compete but also paves the way for the next generation of athletes to shine on a national stage.
This year’s event, set to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan from November 29th to 30th, brings even more opportunities for young athletes to showcase their abilities across a wide variety of sporting disciplines, including Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics, Table Tennis, Snooker, Shot Put, Long Jump, E-sports, and Tug of War. With two Nigeria’s Ex International, Daniel Amokachi and Mutiu Adepoju both legendary figures in Nigerian football serving as ambassadors, the games underscore the crucial role of sports in shaping lives and fostering unity.
Daniel Amokachi, while addressing the media at the event’s unveiling, emphasized the need for consistent support from businesses and brands to nurture talent in Nigeria. “Sports in Nigeria need more support from businesses and brands to help discover and nurture young talent. Through initiatives like the Adron Games, we’re able to uncover the next generation of stars while also promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Amokachi.
In line with Adron Homes’ strategic goals, Emmanuel Oladapo, Director of Sport Adron Homes and the Organising Department, shed light on the innovative developments and strategies being brought to this year’s games. During his speech, Oladapo emphasized the importance of preparation and structure in making this year’s Adron Games the most successful yet.
“We’re focused on ensuring that every aspect of this year’s games is elevated. From athlete development to team preparation, my team and I are introducing new strategies that will provide a more competitive and organized experience for all participants. We want to make sure the games grow bigger each year while also ensuring that they remain an important platform for talent discovery,” Oladapo stated.
He further highlighted a series of pre-event activities leading up to November, which have been designed to ensure that teams are fully prepared for the competition. These preparatory events, which include team training sessions, practice tournaments, and fitness camps, will help refine skills and foster teamwork among the athletes. “We want the teams to have ample opportunity to train, strategize, and perfect their game before the main event in November,” Oladapo explained.
As part of the unveiling, Oladapo also showcased the official team jerseys, which were presented to the respective teams. The jerseys, designed to promote team spirit and a sense of unity, reflect the vibrant and competitive nature of Adron Games. “These jerseys represent more than just clothing; they symbolize the hard work, dedication, and passion that each team will bring to the field. We’re proud to have created a look that inspires pride and excellence,” he added.
By investing in sports sponsorship, Adron Homes not only encourages a culture of fitness and wellness but also contributes to the larger goal of empowering youth and developing Nigeria’s sports industry. The company’s Group Managing Director, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has been at the forefront of these efforts, recognizing the transformative power of sports as a tool for positive change.
Mutiu Adepoju, speaking at the media briefing, echoed this sentiment, stressing the unifying power of sports and commending Adron Homes for their ongoing dedication to its promotion. “Sports is not only about fitness but also about unity and creating opportunities for the youth. Adron Homes’ commitment to this cause is invaluable in the continued development of sports in Nigeria,” Adepoju remarked.
As Adron Games 2024 approaches, the spotlight is once again on sports as a catalyst for talent discovery and community development, with Adron Homes & Properties leading the charge.
For more information, sponsorship, vendor registration and inquiries, please contact:
Mr Emmanuel Oladapo: 08100760100
Adron Sports Foundation: 08061594375
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