Jumbo Package: Sarkisian, Golding get raises and extensions

Happy Thursday, everyone. Alabama OC Steve Sarkisian got a handsome raise after turning down some head coaching opportunities over the winter to remain in Tuscaloosa. Rivals has the rundown of all new contracts for you.

— Steve Sarkisian, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks: $2.5 million through Feb. 28, 2023 (up from 1.55 million last season)

— Pete Golding, defensive coordinator/inside linebackers: $1.225 million through Feb. 28, 2022 (up from 1.1 million last season)

— Charles Kelly, associate defensive coordinator/safeties: $800,000 to $825,000 through Feb. 28, 2022 (up from $800,000 last season)

— Jeff Banks, special teams coordinator/tight ends: $750,000 through Feb. 28, 2022 (up from $541,277 last season)

So, Sark gets a big raise and extension through the 2022 season, Golding gets a modest raise and extension through the 2021 season, and both Kelly and Banks are rewarded with extensions for their fantastic work on the recruiting trail. They have every coach listed at that link, but those are the most noteworthy.

Check out this locker room.

Our players are #blessed.

The playoff has pushed its selection date back a bit.

“With recent schedule changes for the regular season, it makes sense for the committee to make its final rankings after the conference championship games, when it can get a complete picture of the season,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock said. “The selection committee members understand the need to be flexible as we all navigate uncharted waters this season, and this move will allow them to evaluate all the available information.”

This year’s College Football Playoff Semifinals — the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl — remain set for Jan. 1, with the CFP National Championship Game still scheduled for Jan. 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla

They will now choose on December 20, only 12 days before the semifinal games.

Former five-star and current Tennessee Titans OL Isaiah Wilson says he crossed Alabama off his list because Saban wouldn’t hug him.

Former Georgia right tackle made an appearance with Barstool Sports this week and told some funny stories about his recruitment — one of them involved one of the Bulldogs’ SEC rivals, Alabama.

Wilson said he had hoped to get a hug from Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, but Saban rejected him and offered only a handshake instead. Wilson said that was enough for him to strike Alabama off his list of potential college choices.

Chose a hug over a ring, eh? To each his own. Kirby’s 2021 class is sitting at fifth in the SEC right now, so I suggest he get to hugging.

Check out Evan Neal, y’all.

That man is three hundred and sixty pounds!

Political columnist Kyle Whitmire decided to foray into college athletics.

One of the officials, who did not identify himself on the call, implied keeping sports was a factor in bringing students back to class.

“It’s one of those things where if students don’t come back to campus, then the chances of having a football season are almost zero,” the official told the players.

The officials on the call said there was only so much that could be done and that outbreaks were certain to happen. Much of that responsibility would fall to the players.

I’m not going to get into his opinion on paying players. We’ve been there, done that and bought the T-shirt, and the NIL thing is being hashed out currently. The quoted excerpt is a misrepresentation of what happened, though, and I have seen it in multiple places. In case you missed it, last week Ole Miss LB MoMo Sanogo was one of several players to participate in a conference call with SEC administrators about safety protocols. He asked why students were allowed on campus if they were trying to have a football season, raising a valid concern that students who don’t play football won’t be adhering to the same protocols as the football team, and the official then gave the above response.

What he was saying to MoMo is that there would be no football without students on campus, so the question is moot. In no way was there any implication that playing a football season, with severely restricted stadium capacity that will virtually eliminate profits this season, was a primary driver in the decision to open campus. I suspect that Kyle understands this and opted for disingenuity.

I’m sure you will all be shocked to hear that Harbaugh was being a Karen on the Big Ten conference call.

Biddle is reporting that Harbaugh interrupted Day at one point during the teleconference, calling out the Buckeyes for breaking the rules and Day responded by telling Harbaugh to worry about his own team.

Following the teleconference, Day met with his team and told them the Big Ten better have a mercy rule because they were going to “hang 100 points” on the Wolverines.

Is there anyone more universally despised in the sport than Harbaugh? Dude just needs to hang ‘em up.

Reuben Foster is desperately trying to get back on the field.

“What we do is that I treat him and teach him and interact with him like he’s going to be out there,” Washington linebackers coach Steve Russ said during an online press conference on Tuesday. “Because that’s the only way you can do it, right? There’s an old saying that you never know if you’re going to have an opportunity, but you better be prepared. It’s better to be prepared and not have an opportunity than have an opportunity and not be prepared, so Reuben is treating it that way. And I’m treating it that way with him.”

May his knee allow him to prove he can maintain the high level of play from San Francisco while avoiding off-field nonsense.

Last, the wildest story you will read today.

After work, on the evening of 26 September 2015 he was believed to be in the company of a small group of Lithuanian men, but all trace of him vanished from that moment.

Hall said: “There were genuine concerns Ricardas came to harm that evening … but we now believe Ricardas made the decision to run away as he had been a victim of crime, having previously been subject to exploitation.

“A team of investigators worked tirelessly following up a number of inquiries, none leading to the discovery of Ricardas. That was until we received information that Ricardas may have been alive and still in the Wisbech area.

“Following a search of wooded area in Harecroft Road, Ricardas was eventually found living in undergrowth, very well concealed after having deliberately hidden and having not spoken with anyone for some time.”

Dude survived for five years living alone in the woods? I need to meet this chap. So many questions.

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.