Alabama17Tide
Member
First things first, we should all acknowledge that these things can change rapidly. What is true one hour can change the next. With that said, this is what I know as of 1:38 p.m. (CST) Sunday afternoon.
I spent the last two days speaking with multiple sources to learn as much as I could about the Lane Kiffin situation. As I'm sure most of you all are aware, multiple reports have it that new LSU coach Ed Orgeron made assurances to LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva during his interview that he could land Kiffin to be his offensive coordinator. I have confirmed that information. Orgeron feels extremely confident that his old coaching buddy (the pair coached together at Tennessee and Southern Cal when Kiffin was the head coach) will come to Baton Rouge. Now several of you are sure to ask why Kiffin would leave a well-oiled machine like Alabama for LSU. On the surface it might make no sense. Alabama is in the midst of a dynasty. Kiffin has a true freshman quarterback in Jalen Hurts in which he could work with for the foreseeable future. Kiffin has the top offensive skill position talent in the country he can work with each and every season. That's all true. But there are just as many reasons, if not more, why going to LSU with Orgeron works for Kiffin too. Kiffin will be given the keys to the offense. He mostly does at Alabama, but there are times when Saban not-so-politely makes suggestions (as we've seen play out on the sideline several times). There is also the reality of the culture difference between a Nick Saban-run operation and Ed Orgeron. Kiffin unquestionably fits in better with Orgeron's personality than he does with Saban. Working for Saban is demanding. It's tough. It's not for everyone. Kiffin has done remarkably well at Alabama. But Kiffin is also a very confident guy, and he's pretty self-assured that he could do the same thing at LSU while teaming with an easier-to-work-for head coach in Orgeron.
From Alabama's end, the timing is difficult. Alabama is vying for its third straight SEC title, something that hasn't occurred since Florida did it in the 1990s. Alabama is also in the hunt for a second straight national title. So the timing is not great that a direct rival in the SEC West is attempting to swipe Alabama's offensive coordinator in the stretch run of the season. More than anything, though, it's a distraction that's the most worrisome. We all know how Nick Saban feels about distractions. Alabama is extremely aware of how talented Kiffin is. I mean, he's going for three straight SEC titles with three different quarterbacks. He's set numerous offensive records as the offensive coordinator. The people inside the Alabama athletic department know how talented Kiffin is. However, the people I've spoken with aren't overly concerned if he leaves. Now that's not to say they don't think he's extremely talented or valued. He clearly is. But to the people I've spoken with it feels more like this is a relationship that has run its course. Again, no one is forcing Kiffin out. He's not being made to feel like he's unwelcome. However, my sense is that both parties wouldn't be disappointed if there ended up being a split at season's end. One thing that won't be a concern is money. Alabama can match any offer Kiffin gets from anywhere else if it chooses to. Also, no one is going to be overly surprised if Kiffin chooses to stay put either.
The thing that could throw a wrench into LSU's plans is if Kiffin gets a head-coaching job. That's his first choice. He wants to lead his own program again. He feels that what he's learned from Saban has better prepared him to be a head coach this time around. There will be programs that show interest for Kiffin. The question in my mind is what is Kiffin's desired program? Does he only want to coach in a Power 5 conference? What level of program shows interest will be the determining factor (to me) if Kiffin is a head coach in 2017.
There's a lot of moving parts in this, not the least of which is Alabama preparing to make a championship run. In the past, Saban has done a remarkable job of not letting coaches leave the staff be a distraction as the team prepares for championships (McElwain, Smart), and I suspect that will be the case again. As always, I'll keep you up to date on what I can report. Have a great day!
1 Aaron Suttles, Today at 2:03 PM
Last edited: Today at 2:14 PM
I spent the last two days speaking with multiple sources to learn as much as I could about the Lane Kiffin situation. As I'm sure most of you all are aware, multiple reports have it that new LSU coach Ed Orgeron made assurances to LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva during his interview that he could land Kiffin to be his offensive coordinator. I have confirmed that information. Orgeron feels extremely confident that his old coaching buddy (the pair coached together at Tennessee and Southern Cal when Kiffin was the head coach) will come to Baton Rouge. Now several of you are sure to ask why Kiffin would leave a well-oiled machine like Alabama for LSU. On the surface it might make no sense. Alabama is in the midst of a dynasty. Kiffin has a true freshman quarterback in Jalen Hurts in which he could work with for the foreseeable future. Kiffin has the top offensive skill position talent in the country he can work with each and every season. That's all true. But there are just as many reasons, if not more, why going to LSU with Orgeron works for Kiffin too. Kiffin will be given the keys to the offense. He mostly does at Alabama, but there are times when Saban not-so-politely makes suggestions (as we've seen play out on the sideline several times). There is also the reality of the culture difference between a Nick Saban-run operation and Ed Orgeron. Kiffin unquestionably fits in better with Orgeron's personality than he does with Saban. Working for Saban is demanding. It's tough. It's not for everyone. Kiffin has done remarkably well at Alabama. But Kiffin is also a very confident guy, and he's pretty self-assured that he could do the same thing at LSU while teaming with an easier-to-work-for head coach in Orgeron.
From Alabama's end, the timing is difficult. Alabama is vying for its third straight SEC title, something that hasn't occurred since Florida did it in the 1990s. Alabama is also in the hunt for a second straight national title. So the timing is not great that a direct rival in the SEC West is attempting to swipe Alabama's offensive coordinator in the stretch run of the season. More than anything, though, it's a distraction that's the most worrisome. We all know how Nick Saban feels about distractions. Alabama is extremely aware of how talented Kiffin is. I mean, he's going for three straight SEC titles with three different quarterbacks. He's set numerous offensive records as the offensive coordinator. The people inside the Alabama athletic department know how talented Kiffin is. However, the people I've spoken with aren't overly concerned if he leaves. Now that's not to say they don't think he's extremely talented or valued. He clearly is. But to the people I've spoken with it feels more like this is a relationship that has run its course. Again, no one is forcing Kiffin out. He's not being made to feel like he's unwelcome. However, my sense is that both parties wouldn't be disappointed if there ended up being a split at season's end. One thing that won't be a concern is money. Alabama can match any offer Kiffin gets from anywhere else if it chooses to. Also, no one is going to be overly surprised if Kiffin chooses to stay put either.
The thing that could throw a wrench into LSU's plans is if Kiffin gets a head-coaching job. That's his first choice. He wants to lead his own program again. He feels that what he's learned from Saban has better prepared him to be a head coach this time around. There will be programs that show interest for Kiffin. The question in my mind is what is Kiffin's desired program? Does he only want to coach in a Power 5 conference? What level of program shows interest will be the determining factor (to me) if Kiffin is a head coach in 2017.
There's a lot of moving parts in this, not the least of which is Alabama preparing to make a championship run. In the past, Saban has done a remarkable job of not letting coaches leave the staff be a distraction as the team prepares for championships (McElwain, Smart), and I suspect that will be the case again. As always, I'll keep you up to date on what I can report. Have a great day!
1 Aaron Suttles, Today at 2:03 PM
Last edited: Today at 2:14 PM
