Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY SPORTS
To say that Lane Kiffin has had a tumultuous career would be quite an understatement. He seems to move from job to job, leaving a cloud of dust behind him for someone else to clean.
Kiffin was on the staff for the USC Trojans from 2002-06, serving as offensive coordinator in his last two seasons. Then, in 2007, he was hired by Al Davis to be the head coach of the Oakland Raiders when he was just 31 years old.
The marriage between the Raiders and Kiffin was rocky and lasted a total of 20 games. Davis not only fired Kiffin in the middle of the season, he called him a liar, prompting Kiffin to sue Davis. That lawsuit was thrown out after it was found that Davis had fired Kiffin with cause.
Even that scenario didn’t dampen Kiffin’s spirit. Surprisingly, the Tennessee Volunteers came calling and hired him as their head coach in 2009. In his first season in Knoxville, Kiffin ruffled the feathers of some of the biggest names in the SEC and kept the Tennessee compliance staff on its toes with a number of secondary violations.
Kiffin went 7-6 with the Vols, then, shortly after the season, resigned to take the head coaching job at USC. That move left the Tennessee administration and boosters furious with Kiffin, and without a coach just a month before National Signing Day.
To his credit, Kiffin lasted three full seasons and part of a fourth season with USC before athletic director Pat Haden fired him. His 28-15 record was not exactly what USC had hoped for when they hired him.
At the end of the 2013 season, Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide hired Kiffin to be an offensive consultant before the Tide’s bowl game. Ultimately, he was hired as Alabama’s offensive coordinator. Under Kiffin’s watch, the Tide put up record offensive numbers. The 2014 season saw Alabama move the ball as it never had before, and Kiffin got the majority of the credit for that.
Now, Kiffin has another chance to move, as the San Francisco 49ers have him on the short list to be their offensive coordinator. But does Kiffin leave, angering Saban in the process? Does he join new 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula‘s staff, despite the fact that the NFL seems to have figured out quarterback Colin Kaepernick? Does he return to Alabama, where he lost his best quarterback, running back and wide receiver?
At some point, one would think that Kiffin would run out of chances. His next move will be an interesting one, and might give a little more insight to where he thinks his career is headed.
Tim Letcher is a contributing writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
