Alabama didn’t hold back in its attempt to land Arch Manning.

Then-Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Pete Golding referenced Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s battles with alcoholism in an attempt to send the prodigy to Tuscaloosa over Austin, as detailed in the upcoming book, “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback” by Seth Wickersham.

“Competition was so fierce that everything was fair game,” Wickersham wrote, as detailed in an ESPN excerpt . “It was public record that Steve Sarkisian had battled alcoholism, a disease that nearly cost him his career. Sark had rebuilt his life and work in recovery. But during one Zoom call with Arch, Golding was discussing Alabama’s schematics and culture, and then he went there.

“‘I love Sark,'” Golding said. ‘He’s my best friend.’ He paused. ‘

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