Retribution For Kiffin? It’s His Whether He Wants It Or Not!!

No Comments September 6, 2016 USC Football By John Stellman

September 29, 2013.

January 10, 2014.

Two significant events in the life of Lane Monte Kiffin.

It took less than four months to turn heart ache into jubilation.

Shortly after the University Of Southern California’s charter flight from Phoenix, Arizona landed at Los Angeles International Airport, Kiffin was met by Pat Haden, the school’s athletic director.

Somber Showdown

3:14 a.m. to be exact.

After an embarrassing 62-41 loss to the University of Arizona Sun Devils, Kiffin was relieved of his duties.

“It was,” the deposed coach said, “the lowest part of my career by far.”

Kiffin guided the Trojans to a 28-15 record during his 3 1/2 controversial years that included NCAA sanctions.

The Sky’s The Limit

Not good enough at USC!

“I was a good 20 yards off the tarmac,” Kiffin acknowledged of his conversation with Haden.

“It totally caught me off-guard, “the coach recalled. “I was tired. It was really difficult to deal with.”

Kiffin wasn’t unemployed for long.

It was Alabama coach Lou Saban who reached out to Kiffin.

Another Chance

For a SECOND time.

Curiously, Kiffin nearly went to work for Saban back in 2007 when Saban was hired by the Crimson Tide.

Impressed by the Trojans 55-19 BCS National Title thumping of Oklahoma, Saban asked Kiffin to become his offensive cordinator.

“He must have liked what he saw,” Kiffin said.

For Pete’s Sake

But after mulling over the offer for a couple of days, Kiffin decided to stay with the highly successful Pete Carroll at USC.

As fate would have it, Kiffin replaced Carroll, who took over the Seattle Seahawks after the 2009 season.

His departure from Tennessee after one season as head coach didn’t sit well with the Volunteers’ faithful.

And they probably weren’t particularly thrilled when Kiffin returned to the Southeastern Conference as Saban’s offensive coordinator on January 10, 2014.

Positive Vibe

Following the 2013 season, Kiffin received a second offer from Saban to join his staff. This time, he said YES!

“It’s weird how it’s worked out,” Kiffin said.

But worked out it has.

Aerial Circus

Last season Kiffin’s aerial game set a school record by averaging 277.9 yards per game.

And for an encore, Derrick Henry became only the second Tide in history to win the Heisman Trophy.

But the opening Saturday of the 2016 season might have meant as much to Kiffin as anything.

Alabama and USC.

The present versus the past.

Just Another Game?

Yet Kiffin tried to down play the game’s significance.

“I know it sounds strange, I really have not thought a lot about it,” the coach said.

Maybe yes, maybe no.

But the Tides execution on the field suggests otherwise.

Kiffin’s Alabama offense rolled up 465 yards in a 52-6 thumping.

Helton Takes Blame

“That’s on me to be honest with you,” said USC coach Clay Helton. “When you make mistakes and have missed assignments…”

USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin worked under Kiffin in 2012 and 2013.

“It’s been a few years now, but we talked during the week,” Martin said. “We had some conversations. But they did a good job. Congratulations to them.”

Reunion

“It was really cool seeing him,” USC running back Justin Davis said afterwards. “He’s been very successful.

That was my first coach and he was in my house recruiting me so, yeah, we go way back.”

It wasn’t a homecoming that the Trojans were thrilled to celebrate.

USC failed to score a touchdown for the first time since 1997. And that was also the last time they lost their opener.

Record Setter

It was also the worst opening game performance in Trojan history.

In fact, the 46-point defeat was second only to a 51-0 shellacking handed them by Notre Dame in 1966.

“Obviously, it didn’t work out for me on my end of things,” USC quarterback Max Browne said, “but giving him a handshake, I haven’t seen him in forever.

We could hear all the cameras behind us going crazy. He Kiffin) just wished me luck, said (to) lead the team.”

Need To Move On

The Trojans now need to pick up the pieces and just turn the page.

“Obviously one game does not make a season,” Helton concluded.

And fortunately there are plenty of Saturdays left.

image: Joe Murphy/Getty Images

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...