This is related to why I think his redemption arc and leaning into his issues and the vulnerability inherent in that is a big factor in getting not just buy in but participation from the coaches and team. I think this creates a kind of virtuous circle in which the more they do it, the more theyāre willing to do it, and the more positive and deeply seated it becomes.
He talked about how heās told his story each season and some players have obviously heard it multiple times. Last time, his son heard about it in that context and in a different way than heād experienced from his dad before. I think, in no small way, Sarkisianās ability to share openly some things he may have sugarcoated for his son only magnified what heās trying to do.
It doesnāt hurt that heās a badass when it comes to scheme. Or development. Or, along with the staff, evaluation. I know people laugh at the āgood kids who graduateā thing, but if he can build a team culture and (imperfectly, obviously) identify guys who are focused enough and team oriented enough maybe to do less of the idiotic things 18-22 year old guys tend to do, it has the dual effect of a building a kickass team and a team you donāt have to squint to support.
Listening to guys like Barron talk about remembering to be grateful for where he is and to put in the effort worthy of that is, imo, pretty cool. I donāt know anything about him beyond what shows up in interviews but he seems bought in and it not only makes him a better player but (from this admittedly superficial perspective) also a better person. Maybe Iām wrong, but I think the world could use more guys like him, whether they can play football or not. And I think Sarkisian has helped with that.
At this point, Sarkisian looks like a walkoff grand slam of a hire and not just for what he can get done on the field.