Kiffin talk should calm down

Arizona job gets filled so FAU fans can breath easier

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic football fans can somewhat finally exhale.

On Sunday, former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin reportedly accepted the same position at Arizona. It matters to FAU because it was the final job that may have drawn interest from Owls coach Lane Kiffin. With the collegiate coaching carousel concluded, it is becoming more likely he will be around for a second season.

Kiffin has repeatedly said he plans to remain in Boca Raton for a long time, but it didn’t stop the constant speculation throughout the season. When Arizona fired Rich Rodriguez earlier this month, Kiffin’s name immediately appeared on the radar. A few media outlets listed him on the short list of candidates. The link was it would give Kiffin a chance to return to the Pac-10, where he was the head coach at USC for four seasons and an assistant for six.

Kiffin hasn’t spoken to the local media since the Boca Raton Bowl victory last month against Akron. He attended the American Football Coaches Association conference in Charlotte on Jan. 7-10, where he likely got some feelers on who will replace Kendal Briles as the FAU offensive coordinator. He’s also hit the recruiting trail to add to the 2018 class and reeled in Auburn receiver transfer Kyle Davis.

Still, the reality is speculation will always follow Kiffin even though last month he agreed to a six-year contract extension. The deal has not been completed because FAU is still awaiting approval from the Board of Trustees.

In the meantime, expect to continue hearing Kiffin’s name each time there is a coaching vacancy. When the Buffalo Bills hired Alabama offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on Sunday, the Crimson Tide fan base immediately began asking Kiffin to return. Taking an NFL assistant coordinator job is also a possibility.

The chances of either happening are unlikely, so Owls fans should be at ease the next few months.

srichardson@ sun-sentinel.com; On Twitter @shandelrich