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Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian recovering from heart surgery

Steve Sarkisian served as the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator last season after spending the previous two years in the same position with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Steve Sarkisian served as the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator last season after spending the previous two years in the same position with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

July 7 (UPI) -- Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian had heart surgery last week and is expected to make a full recovery, the school announced Tuesday.

The university said Sarkisian, 46, underwent the procedure July 2 in Birmingham, Ala. According to the school, his condition was discovered during an annual physical.

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"During Coach Sarkisian's physical last week, it was determined that he needed a procedure to correct a congenital cardiovascular anomaly before it became an issue," the school said in a statement Tuesday. "Coach Sarkisian underwent a successful procedure this past Thursday [July 2] in Birmingham.

"He is back home in Tuscaloosa and is expected to make a full recovery."

Sarkisian served as the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator last season after spending the previous two years in the same position with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

Under Sarkisian, Alabama -- with both Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones starting at quarterback -- ranked second in college football in points per game (47.2) last season.

Jones, who is a redshirt junior, returns to Alabama after filling in for the injured Tagovailoa on four occasions last year. Tagovailoa was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.

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Five-star freshman Bryce Young, whom Sarkisian helped recruit, will join Jones in the Crimson Tide's quarterback room for the upcoming season.

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