Saban Talks Kiffin and Coaching Transitions
Nick Saban didn’t hold back when discussing Lane Kiffin, the new head coach at LSU and one of his former assistants.
On ESPN’s “College GameDay,” Saban covered a couple of important points. He shared some advice he gave Kiffin, who’s represented by agent Jimmy Sexton.
Kiffin was originally slated to appear on the show but ended up canceling.
Saban emphasized that Kiffin should have been allowed to coach Ole Miss through the College Football Playoff, pointing out that others have had similar opportunities in the past. When Kiffin turned to Saban for guidance, the veteran coach said he always starts by asking, “What do they want to do?”
“I never tell anyone what to do,” Saban explained. “I just aim to get them thinking so they can make the best decisions for themselves.”
He mentioned that Kiffin seems somewhat “confused” about his next steps. Ole Miss is currently 11-1 and has a shot at the playoff, yet LSU, where Saban also previously coached, boasts more resources and is a powerhouse.
Interestingly, Kiffin reportedly left Ole Miss with a contract worth $91 million. Saban reflected on the difficulty of such decisions, noting his own experiences of wanting to stay with a team while also needing to consider future opportunities. “Based on the timing, it might never feel right,” he said.
Kiffin expressed his desire to coach Ole Miss in the playoffs, but that wish was denied. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. was allowed to wrap up the season at Ole Miss before joining Kiffin at LSU.
When Kirk Herbstreit brought up other coaches who stuck with their teams before moving on, Saban seemed puzzled about why Kiffin couldn’t do the same.
He pointed out that those coaches faced similar pressures but found a way to stay with their teams, remarking, “Those guys came together and said this is not a problem. We’re going to let them coach.”
Saban always conveyed clear expectations to his assistants, recalling how it played out when Kirby Smart left to coach Georgia during the 2016 national championship game against Alabama. “I made it clear what the expectations were,” he said.
However, he also reflected on a time when Kiffin tried to manage both Alabama and his impending job at Florida Atlantic. That situation led to mutual agreement that he should focus on his new role.
Now, Kiffin is dedicated to rebuilding LSU’s image and has already secured the top recruit in the nation while bringing back an important assistant coach.
