At this point, there's no safer path back. Especially since it was Steve Sarkisian's only path.
From one of the top three jobs in college football, to a non-coaching position on the Alabama staff as an offensive analyst. From a job that paid $4 million a year as head coach at USC, to one that pays a little more than $10,000.
"We're glad to have him as part of the organization," Alabama head coach Nick Saban told reporters of Sarkisian on Monday.
There's your ringing endorsement, one that supersedes any question or lingering doubt over Sarkisian's 11-month layoff from the coaching profession.