Is Lane Kiffin going to Alabama? Exploring Ole Miss HC coaching rumors
Lane Kiffin is the current head coach for the Ole Miss Rebels, a position he has occupied since 2020. Kiffin has been the head coach of a few college programs, notably the USC Trojans and the Florida Atlantic Owls, whom Kiffin led to two Conference USA titles.
Kiffin's time at Ole Miss has been successful, especially during the 2023 season, where the Rebels finished with an 11-2 record, giving them their first-ever 11-win season.
However, in college football, as with all sports, success with one team will link a coach with another coaching job, normally, one that is with a team seen as better.
That has happened this week with Lane Kiffin being linked with the Alabama Crimson Tide head coach role, after the retirement of Nick Saban.
Lane Kiffin's experience with the Alabama Crimson Tide
Since Saban announced his retirement on Wednesday, many names have been considered for Saban's replacement. Kiffin's name is one of these, likely due to his prior experience with the Crimson Tide.
Before becoming head coach at Florida Atlantic, Kiffin was the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban. He was involved with Alabama's 2015 national championship-winning side.
However, Kiffin's relationship with Saban and the Alabama program rapidly broke down after taking the Florida Atlantic job.
Kiffin stayed on for the 2016 playoffs and was the offensive coordinator during the semi-final, but he was dismissed two days later. His replacement was Steve Sarkisian, the current Texas Longhorns head coach, who has also been linked to the Alabama role.
A return to the Crimson Tide could allow Kiffin to right the wrongs that he experienced at the end of his tenure with the Crimson Tide.
Could Lane Kiffin return to Alabama and what will they gain from this?
Lane Kiffin's desire to return to the Crimson Tide has been rumored for a while. It is believed that he turned down the opportunity to become head coach of the Auburn Tigers because going from Auburn directly to Alabama would not go down well with the Crimson Tide's fanbase.
If Kiffin is to leave Oxford for Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide will be gaining a young, talented coach who has a history of winning and who plays a style of football that is exciting. This is certainly something they would want.