Didn’t Sarkisian accept another job in the past and Saban let him go before the final game? What’s different this time?
Alabama
In September 2016, Alabama hired Sarkisian as an analyst for their football team.[30]
Following Lane Kiffin's departure to become the head coach at Florida Atlantic, Sarkisian was promoted to the Alabama offensive coordinator position on January 2, 2017.[31] He stepped into the role in the National Championship game against Clemson. The Tide would lose narrowly to the Tigers in his first and only game of the 2016 season as offensive coordinator.
Atlanta Falcons
On February 7, 2017, Sarkisian was hired as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, taking over for the recently departed Kyle Shanahan who left to Coach the 49ers. The offense's scoring output, under his guidance, dropped from 33.8 points per game (leading the NFL in 2016) to 22.1 points per game in 2017. In 2018, the offense's scoring improved to 25.9 points per game. On December 31, 2018, he was fired as offensive coordinator.
Alabama (second stint)
In January 2019, Alabama re-hired Sarkisian as the offensive coordinator.[32] In 2020, Sarkisian served as interim head coach for Alabama's 42–13 victory over Auburn after Nick Saban had to be quarantined due to COVID-19 protocols.[33]
During his second stint at Alabama, Sarkisian coached quarterbacks Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa.[34]
That was Lane Kiffin. Sark came in and coached the championship game offense and lost.
No. Lane Kiffin was the Offensive Coordinator. Kiffin had accepted a head coaching job at Florida Atlantic. Saban had to let him go before the Championship game. Sarkisian was on staff in an off-the-field capacity. He stepped up and took over for Kiffin.