Believe it or not, there's somebody out there willing to join the in 2007.Besides Jeff George.Steve Sarkisian, who worked as the Raiders' quarterbacks coach in 2004, was set for a meeting with team officials on Monday. The 32-year-old longtime assistant rejoined USC for the 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
fourth time in 2005, where he worked as an assistant head coach and QBs coach."It's somewhat unexpected, but a great opportunity and one I'm going to go for," Sarkisian said on Saturday. "It's a tremendous organization, one that I'm familiar with."Prior to joining Oakland for a one-year stint in 2004, Sarkisian worked with current NFL starters Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. The young coordinator directed Palmer to the Heisman Trophy in 2002, after the signal caller completed 288 of 458 passes for 3,639 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. In the following season, Leinart took over and led the Trojans to a national championship, after posting record-setting numbers in touchdowns (35) and passer efficiency rating (163.2)."Growing up in Southern California, this is a special, special place to me," Sarkisian said. "It kick-started my coaching career, and growing up in Southern California, watching USC, I've always held a special place for USC."In 2004, however, he tried his luck on the professional plane, in a place not too far away.In Oakland, the young coach worked closely with veteran quarterback Kerry Collins after Rich Gannon went down permanently in Week 3. The 34-year-old Collins finished the year with 13 starts under his belt; he completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 3,495 yards, 21 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.After losing 11 games, though, Sarkisian missed winning."Sometimes you don't realize how good you have it until you step away," he commented after rejoining Southern California prior to 2005. "When you win in this profession, it makes things easy."Back with USC, Sarkisian lost just two games in 2006 -- as many as the Raiders won in three fewer contests. Quarterback John David Booty and the Trojans' offense enjoyed an 11-2 campaign, capped off by a 32-18 win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl.The possibility of a successful NFL career has drawn the former BYU Cougar QB back to the pros, and the Raiders seem like an ideal landing ground."I have a great deal of respect for Al Davis and the Oakland Raider organization," the optimistic coach commented. "It's a proud organization that wants to do whatever it can to be on top. The good thing is when something like this comes unexpected, it's easier to go for it and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out."Outside of current in-house candidate Rob Ryan, Sarkisian appears to be the Raiders' early top choice for the team's vacant head coaching position. Not only does he have experience as a coach for some of the nation's best young quarterback prospects, but he was also one himself. Sarkisian enjoyed successful seasons playing for BYU in 1996 and the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1999, but decided to pursue coaching instead of furthering his on-field career. With BYU, he led the nation in passer efficiency in '96 and quarterbacked his team to a 14-1 record, beating Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl to end his collegiate career. If owner Al Davis is locked in on attaining an offensive-minded head coach, Sarkisian may be the man. If not, the aforementioned Ryan, the team's defensive coordinator, could materialize as the favorite, with Sarkisian looming at offensive coordinator. That is, of course, if he is ready to once again leave the acclaimed USC coaching staff."I had a tremendous job in Oakland," he commented in April 2005. "At 30 years old, I was Steelers 10 Santonio Holmes jersey
a quarterbacks coach in the National Football League.""There are only 32 people in the world who have that job."As of now, there are only 28 head coaches able to say the same. Sarkisian may have a great chance to be No. 29 on the privileged list.Want to be in the Raiders mailbag? Visit RaidersLive.com to submit your questions and comments for the Jan. 19 mailbag. . (28)
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