Alabama raised some eyebrows this week when it hired former USC head coach Steve Sarkisian as an offensive analyst.

USC had fired Steve Sarkisian midway through last season, and he subsequently entered rehab to deal with an alcohol issue. Alabama hired him away from his role as a Fox Sports 1 analyst.

Speaking of Fox Sports 1 analysts, Joel Klatt has an interesting theory regarding Alabama’s reasoning for hiring Sark. Many assumed they did so to groom a potential replacement for offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, another ex-USC head coach.

However, Klatt feels Nick Saban targeted the 42-year-old Sarkisian so LSU’s Les Miles couldn’t bring him in as an in-season replacement for embattled offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

Now, we’re not doubting Saban’s thoroughness and forward thinking. We can’t rule Klatt’s theory out, but it does seem a bit far-fetched. More than likely, Sark just gives the Tide some insurance should Kiffin bolt for another head coaching gig this off-season.

In the meantime, best of luck to Sarkisian on his new coaching endeavor. Hopefully he has worked through his problems with alcohol. After all, football takes a backseat to health every day of the week on twice on Sunday (or Saturday).