Lane Kiffin spent 20 games as the Oakland Raiders head coach from 2007-08 before he was fired in the middle of the 2008 season. While it turned out to be a messy divorce between the current USC head coach and his former employer, it appears Kiffin may get the last laugh after a recent interview with ESPN’s Thomas Neumann
During the interview, Kiffin was asked by Neumann if his experience in Oakland was an “unwinnable situation” considering all of the criticism Davis has received over the years as the Raiders owner. Prior to Kiffin’s arrival, the Raiders had gone 15-61 over the previous five seasons–with most of the blame being put on Davis and his inability to run a successful organization.
Here’s what Kiffin had to say about his situation in Oakland courtesy of Neumann:
“It is almost impossible. I don’t know why I didn’t listen, [because] so many people told me that. That’s why, if you ask [Steve Sarkisian], he didn’t go. He had a chance to go. You’re just so far behind other clubs. You’re waiting for [owner Al Davis] to wake up and come to work at 2 o’clock in the afternoon to make decisions that the rest of the league is making at 6 o’clock in the morning. You’re still running videotapes over to the hotel so he can watch practice at night.”
2 o’clock in the afternoon? Talk about getting a late start to the day. It’s easy to understand the 82-year-old Davis needs his sleep, but if what Kiffin claims is true about starting work that late in the day–no wonder the Raiders haven’t reached the playoffs since the 2002 season.
Dan Parzych is the Lead NFL Content Editor for www.RantSports.com/NFL, where he writes and edits NFL content for www.RantSports.com.
Be sure to follow Dan on Twitter @DanParzych
Buy Oakland Raiders Tickets | Buy Oakland Raiders Apparel
I can’t say what went on as I wasn’t there.
But do you seriously think Kiffin WASN’T going to rip Al? He’s Shanarat 2.0.
Who is Lame Kitten to talk about Al Davis? Has Lame won a Super Bowl? Has Lame won a BCS game? The answer to both is NO! What gates me is SC hired knowing that he and HIS staff were there when the reggie bush incident took place. WTF? Hell the big O paid him to come to sc just like he tried to get Tennessee commitments to follow them to sc. Why is little chucky even a head coach? Because of daddy!
Lane will never work in The NFL again because of Big Al, Lame get lost loser!
IF AL WANTS TO BE THE OWNER AND STAFF, THEN HE SHOULD BE COACHING THE TEAM!!! Do you know why NE is so good at what they do? Because Robert Kraft doesn’t get in BB’s way. When Mark Cuban stepped back, the Mav’s won a title. Why do you think Jimmy Johnson left Dallas? Jerry! Did Eddie B get in Bill Walsh’s way? Pittsburg has won twice as many Super Bowl’s as the Raiders! Do you ever see the owner? When Al was in his heyday, the game was played by Men, and money wasn’t a factor. Now, it’s played by Kids, and money is all. Now he’s on the hook for 40 mil for a decision that He made. He’s costing his organization money. That,s not good business. He fired Lane because he was right. He didn’t want JM. Now, they won’t give TP #2 because it’s infamous. And how could anyone take Hayward-Bey over Crabtree? You don’t take a QB from a defensive school, and you don’t take a downfield threat over possesion with surer hands when your QB isn’t top tier. So, for all those trying to defend Al, good luck!!
What a stupid picture!!!! Yellow teeth, Band-aid on his head. Couldn’t someone have done something. Airbrush him allready. Wow!!!
Al does need to go. He has for a long time now. As a life long Raider fan it is tough to deal with the stupid decisions Al Davis makes. But who is Lane Kiffin anyways. Before you start talking trash, accomplish something. When he wins a game that is important, then I might listen to what he has to say. He was a loser in Oakland, Tennesee, and so far USC. Wasn’t supposed to sing the Vols fight song when they beat Florida? Oh I forgot, he was full of it and that never happened. That scumbag just should learn his lesson and keep his mouth shut!
lane kiffen is the worst coach that the TENNESSEE VOLS has ever Hired? He was
over rated and overpaid? His daddy was what little brains was used while that group of unloyal inbreds that I’ve ever had the displeasure to be around!Tennessee Football and Fans and the SEC deserved men who had real chacter and spoke the truth!All the lie’s about staying many years to make the Volunters football program a power house to regain National Champship status on a regular basis and the best and most feared team in SEC!Kiffen even had his wife to lie about how they loved Tennessee And JESUS! Birds of the feathers stick together? USC under his coaching I hope he is sanctioned so bad by PCC officals they will not be eligable to bowl games or to play in any Championship games even if USC wins all their games? Lane is not that good of a coach!He lies so much he be a good politician or Car Salesmen
‘
”
:
“
Lane Kiffin should hold on to a job for more than a year before ripping Al Davis. Al Davis has done more for football than this punk will do in 5 lifetimes
Al Davis has had an amazing run at the helm of the Raiders, who used to be the most feared (and hated) team in football, and at one time was the winningest professional sports team in the history of the world!
He doesn’t have that anymore. He may be a great man, but he is now the largest part of the reason the Raiders just aren’t any good any more. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a diehard Raider fan, but I’m realistic. Until Al faces himself and hires a really good coach and LETS THE GUY COACH, the Raiders are going to have a hard time climbing back into respectability, let alone actually being contenders. No coach worth the laces on a football would take the job because Al just HAS to run things.
If he has any longing at all to see his beloved Raiders strike fear into the hearts of opponents once again, he needs to hire an awesome coach, and sit back and WATCH the team blossom again.
It hurts to see people laughing at the Raiders, but I’m afraid that’s how it’s going to be until Al faces reality. If he ever does!
Who cares what kiffin thinks. Win something before you critique others. Kiffin hasn’t won anything on his own yet. Why does he get a free pass.
Jon Gruden used to be at the Raider complex at 4:00am and worked with Al. John Madden, and Tom Flores were able to win with Al. Kniffin always has an excuse, it’s never his fault. First step to being a leader is to be accountable.
why are people ripping lane about his comment, its not like he said al davis is dumb or stupid or anything, he just told what was happening while he was there and why the raiders are behind, if what he saying is true which most of us believe it 2 be then something needs to be done with al davis, the league needs to step in and put em in a old folks home or something lol