TAMPA, Fla. -- His teammates said Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts “really likes” newly-named offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. And Hurts echoed those comments Saturday at the Crimson Tide’s hour-long Media Day session.

But the starting quarterback for the nation’s No. 1 team did admit the move was “a sudden change” for him, switching from Lane Kiffin to Sarkisian one week before the College Football Playoff National Championship Game (on Monday, Jan. 9).

“It’s really different, but I think we feel good about the situation we’re in,” Hurts said Saturday morning at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. “We all think he can do a great job.

“... It’s different. He can’t coach like Coach Kiffin. And when I say that, I mean they offer different things. Sark is Sark, he’s Steve Sarkisian. Lane Kiffin is Lane Kiffin. They’re all their own person, so there will be a difference, obviously, because it’s different people.”

Sarkisian assumed the play-calling duties for Alabama on Monday following the Tide’s 24-7 win over Washington in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl -- and ahead of its rematch with Clemson in the title game. He was handed the keys to an offense that features three healthy running backs, a plethora of receivers and, of course, Hurts.

So what was one of his first acts as Alabama’s new offensive coordinator?

“Coach Sark called me and told me. He was the first one to call me and tell me,” Hurts said. “I was like, ‘OK. Let’s do it.’ When he got the job for next year, I told him congratulations and I’m looking forward to working with him. But it just turns out that that came about early. But whatever comes, we’re gonna go full speed and hit it as hard as we can.”

Sarkisian spent the previous 14 games as an offensive analyst for the Crimson Tide. He was in the press box for games but could only listen to the other coaches through his headset. Now the former Washington and USC head coach will be on the sideline again for the first time since the Trojans’ 17-12 loss to the Huskies on Oct. 8, 2015.

Alabama players and coaches have unanimously voiced their support for Sarkisian ahead of Monday’s title game inside Raymond James Stadium. Offensive tackles and tight ends coach Mario Cristobal said he isn’t worried about the OC change.

“It’s great, it’s great. Zero doubts. It’s great,” Cristobal told BamaOnLine. “The guy’s awesome. A tremendous professional, a great human being. Everybody loves him. He’s a blessing for us.”

And neither is Sarkisian’s new head coach.

“Sark has done this for a long time, and he’s called plays for a long time,” Nick Saban said Saturday. “He’s got a lot of experience, he’s got a lot of knowledge. I think he’s very well-organized in his approach, and I’d tell him what I tell any coach: ‘We’ve prepared to do certain things in certain situations. Let’s stick with the plan.’

“Until we have to adjust the plan, that’s what the players know, that’s what we’ve practiced, that’s what we need to go out and try to do, and that’s going to give us the best chance to be able to execute and be successful. I think he’ll do that.”

Will there be rust to shake off on his play-call sheet? Probably. But his colleagues and quarterback have faith in Sarkisian’s abilities and history as an offensive coordinator prior to the biggest -- and final -- game of Alabama’s 2016-17 season.

“I know he has a great track record,” Hurts said. “He told me it’s like riding a bike, and he’s back on the bike now. He’s gonna catch his rhythm Monday, and I think he’ll do a great job.”

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