Steve Sarkisian entered the coaching ranks in 2000 following three seasons as a quarterback with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Alabama coach took one of the biggest gambles of his career in the fourth quarter of Monday night's national championship game against Clemson. And it paid off.

No. 2 Alabama won its fourth national title in the last seven seasons, outlasting the dynamic play of Deshaun Watson and No. 1 Clemson in a 45-40 victory Monday night in the College Football Playoff championship game.