Falcons hire Steve Sarkisian as new offensive coordinator

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — After only one game as Alabama's offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian is heading to the NFL.

To work with MVP quarterback Matt Ryan and the league's highest-scoring offense, no less.

Less than 24 hours after Kyle Shanahan left to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, the Falcons announced today Sarkisian would be his replacement.

The stunning move came with Sarkisian less than a month into what was to be his first full season running Alabama's offense, a job he took over for the national championship game in place of Lane Kiffin. But Falcons coach Dan Quinn said he's had his eye on Sarkisian since last spring, figuring it was only a matter of time before Shanahan moved on to a team of his own.

"I knew how good Kyle is," Quinn said. "I wanted to make sure I had contingency plans in place."

The two have known each other since Sarkisian coached at Washington and Quinn was Seattle's defensive coordinator. Sarkisian stopped by Atlanta last year to check out the Falcons' offseason workouts, as well as training camp.

Even though Sarkisian has only one year of pro experience, Quinn expects a smooth transition for the new coordinator, who is familiar with many of the wide zone blocking schemes that worked so well for Atlanta on its way to the Super Bowl.