Clayton: Possible that Sarkisian could end up with Seahawks

Steve Sarkisian is unemployed and reportedly on the road to rehab for an alcohol abuse problem. And while such a major personal problem might seem like a major, time-consuming mend, ESPN football guru John Clayton said it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see the former University of Washington head coach on the Seahawks staff in some capacity in the future.

“I could see him being brought in as an offensive assistant because I think Pete (Carroll) cares for him so much,” Clayton said Tuesday on 710 ESPN “Brock and Salk.”

One day after placing Sarkisian on leave, USC fired the 41-year-old on Monday, although USC Athletic director Pat Haden refused to reveal specifics about the coach’s condition. The firing came not long after a widely publicized incident in which Sarkisian appeared to be intoxicated at a preseason team function. ESPN reported that Sarkisian also appeared to be intoxicated when he arrived to the team’s facilities on Sunday, three days after the Trojans’ loss to UW. A Los Angeles Times report detailed issues with alcohol dating back to Sarkisian’s time with the Huskies.

Sarkisian spent five years as Washington’s head coach, accumulating a 35-29 record, before leaving for his native Southern California in 2013. He started as an assistant coach under Carroll’s dominating USC teams in the early 2000s.

Speaking with “Brock and Salk” on Monday, Carroll said that he’s saddened but hopeful for Sarkisian and that he’s reached out to his former protégé.

“It breaks my heart to see how this has gone,” Carroll said Monday. “But he recognizes it and he’s going to do something about it, so this is the day the turn occurs. I’m grateful for everybody around him that he’s finally figured it out. … This is going to take a long time. This is big battle and we’ll pull for him all the way.”

The Seahawks have the top rushing attack in the NFL, averaging about 142 rushing yards per game, but are 26th in passing yards and otherwise roughly middle of the pack offensively. Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell has heard criticism about his conservative play calling over the past few years from the typical Monday Morning Quarterbacks, but also, more recently felt the critiques from an notable mother.

“Darrell Bevell is the offensive coordinator,” Clayton said. “People may not like that &#8212 Marshawn Lynch might not like that, Mama Lynch may not, but Pete Carroll likes that and he’s going to stand by Bevell as long as he can. I don’t see Bevel getting a head coaching job, so Darrell Bevell is going to be the offensive coordinator.”

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