Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Kiffin leaves Tide before title game
Coach to focus solely on new FAU job
Lane Kiffin now belongs solely to Florida Atlantic.
The Owls’ new football coach was originally slated to finish his job as Alabama’s offensive coordinator through the College Football Playoff, but he will no longer work for the Crimson Tide, head coach Nick Saban said Monday. The move came two days after Alabama beat Washington, 24-7, in the Peach Bowl to advance to the Jan. 9 national championship game against Clemson.
Kiffin had been performing two jobs since being hired by FAU on Dec. 13, working on Alabama’s offensive game plan during the day and, at night, assembling a staff and recruiting class for FAU. Now, Kiffin can focus completely on the Owls.
Steve Sarkisian, who was set to take over for Kiffin next year, will begin his Alabama offensive coordinator duties early.
“After going through these last couple of weeks, trying to serve the best interests of two universities as an offensive coordinator and a head coach, it became apparent that both programs would be better served by me giving all my time and efforts to being the head coach at FAU,” Kiffin said in a statement. “After meeting with
Coach Saban during preparations last night and this morning, we mutually decided that it was in everyone’s best interests for the players and the program for Coach Sarkisian to take over all responsibilities as offensive coordinator for the championship game.
“This was a very difficult decision, but it’s a decision made in the best interests of the program. I look forward to helping Alabama win another championship, and would like to thank Coach Saban, the staff, and all the players and fans for the past three year at UA for an unforgettable time and championship run. Roll Tide!”
Kiffin’s early exit comes after multiple remarks last week about his three-year tenure at Alabama. When asked about happy moments in Tuscaloosa, Kiffin said “I don’t recall a happy moment. I just recall the ass chewings. I won’t take that part of the process with me, though.” Kiffin also said the word “fun” was not used a lot at Alabama.
Against Washington, the Crimson Tide totaled 326 yards and scored 24 points. Both numbers were the second-lowest of the year for Alabama as quarterback Jalen Hurts only threw for 57 yards on 7 of 14 passing.
“We appreciate all that Lane has done for our football program over the last three years,” Saban said in a statement. “We sat down following the Washington game and talked about the time demands of managing both jobs, and we recognized that it is best for our players, and for Lane, that we allow him to turn his full attention to his new head coaching role at FAU.”
In the past, Alabama assistants who took a head coaching job typically stuck around until the end of the season. Kirby Smart stayed on before taking a job at Georgia. Jim McElwain remained on board before taking the Colorado State job.
Kiffin has filled most of his FAU coaching staff while working at Alabama, hiring offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and defensive coordinator Chris Kiffin. He has also brought on assistant coaches Charlie Weis Jr. (an Alabama analyst), Keynodo Hudson (USC administrative assistant) and Corey Batoon (Ole Miss assistant).
Corey Bell, Garin Justice and Dan Shula were kept on staff by Kiffin, though their job’s permanence will be, in part, determined by the new coordinators.
“This wasn’t an easy decision and we appreciate the way Lane handled this in terms of doing what is best for our team,” Saban said. “At the end of the day, both of us wanted to put out players in the best position to be successful. Obviously, we are in a unique situation here where we have our next offensive coordinator already on staff. We have full confidence that Sark will step in right away and make this a smooth transition.”
“This wasn’t an easy decision and we appreciate the way Lane handled this in terms of doing what is best for our team.” Nick Saban, on Kiffin’s decision