Lane Kiffin And LSU: Did It Ever Happen?

# Lane Kiffin and LSU: Did It Ever Happen?

The question of whether Lane Kiffin, the current head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, ever coached at Louisiana State University (LSU) is a common one among college football fans. Lane Kiffin has had a prominent career in college football, holding various high-profile positions. The short answer to the question is no, Lane Kiffin has never been the head coach or an assistant coach at LSU. 

This article will explore Kiffin's coaching journey and provide a clearer picture of the teams and roles he has held throughout his career. Understanding his career trajectory helps to contextualize why this question arises and clarifies where Kiffin has made his mark in the college football landscape.

## Lane Kiffin's Coaching Career: A Detailed Overview

Lane Kiffin's coaching journey is marked by a series of high-profile positions and significant achievements, despite some controversies along the way. Here's a detailed look at his career milestones:

### Early Career

*   **Student Assistant at Fresno State (1997-1998):** Kiffin began his coaching career as a student assistant at Fresno State, gaining foundational experience in program operations and player development.
*   **Graduate Assistant at Colorado State (1999):** He then moved to Colorado State as a graduate assistant, further honing his coaching skills.
*   **Tight Ends Coach at USC (2001-2004):** Kiffin joined USC under head coach Pete Carroll, initially as the tight ends coach. This marked his entry into a major college football program.

### USC Tenure: Rising Star

*   **Passing Game Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator (2005-2006):** Kiffin's role expanded at USC, where he became the passing game coordinator and recruiting coordinator. His ability to recruit top talent significantly boosted the Trojans' roster.
*   **Offensive Coordinator (2005-2006):** He was promoted to offensive coordinator, contributing to USC's offensive dominance during this period. The Trojans were consistently among the top-scoring teams in the nation.

### Oakland Raiders Head Coach (2007-2008)

*   **Youngest Head Coach in NFL History:** At just 31 years old, Kiffin became the youngest head coach in NFL history when he was hired by the Oakland Raiders. 
*   **Brief and Tumultuous Tenure:** His time with the Raiders was short and filled with challenges, leading to his firing midway through the 2008 season.

### University of Tennessee Head Coach (2009)

*   **Controversial Hire:** Kiffin's appointment at Tennessee was met with mixed reactions due to his past controversies and aggressive recruiting tactics.
*   **One Season in Knoxville:** He coached the Volunteers for only one season, achieving a 7-6 record before abruptly leaving for USC.

### USC Head Coach (2010-2013)

*   **Return to USC:** Kiffin returned to USC as head coach, inheriting a program facing NCAA sanctions. 
*   **Mixed Results and Dismissal:** His tenure at USC was marked by inconsistent performance and internal issues, ultimately leading to his firing in 2013.

### Alabama Offensive Coordinator (2014-2016)

*   **Revitalizing Career:** Kiffin joined Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, where he served as the offensive coordinator. This move proved crucial in rehabilitating his coaching career.
*   **National Championships:** Under Kiffin, Alabama's offense flourished, contributing to multiple national championship appearances and one title win in 2015.

### Florida Atlantic Head Coach (2017-2019)

*   **Successful Stint:** Kiffin took the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), leading the Owls to significant success, including two Conference USA championships.
*   **Offensive Prowess:** His offensive schemes revitalized the FAU program, showcasing his ability to develop quarterbacks and create explosive offenses.

### Ole Miss Head Coach (2020-Present)

*   **Current Role:** Lane Kiffin is currently the head coach at Ole Miss, where he has continued to build a reputation for innovative offensive strategies and aggressive play-calling. 
*   **Impact on the Program:** Since joining Ole Miss, Kiffin has elevated the program's profile, achieving notable victories and attracting national attention.

### Did Lane Kiffin Coach at LSU? The Verdict

As the overview of his career shows, Lane Kiffin has never coached at LSU. His coaching journey includes positions at USC, the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida Atlantic, and Ole Miss, but LSU has not been a stop along the way.

## Potential Scenarios and LSU's Coaching History

While Lane Kiffin has never coached at LSU, it's worth exploring scenarios where he might have been considered or speculated to join the program. Additionally, understanding LSU's coaching history provides context to why the question of Kiffin's involvement arises.

### Coaching Vacancies at LSU

Over the years, there have been instances when LSU had coaching vacancies, leading to speculation about potential candidates. However, Kiffin's name has not been prominently linked to these openings for various reasons, including timing, fit, and mutual interest. 

### LSU's Prominent Coaches

LSU has a storied football history with several prominent coaches who have left a lasting impact on the program. Names like Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron have all led the Tigers to national championships and significant achievements. 

### Why the Confusion?

The confusion about whether Kiffin coached at LSU might stem from a few factors:

*   **Kiffin's High Profile:** Lane Kiffin's prominent roles at major programs and his media presence make him a well-known figure in college football, leading to questions about his connections to various schools.
*   **SEC Connections:** Both Kiffin and LSU are part of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most competitive conferences in college football. This shared conference affiliation might lead to assumptions about potential coaching connections.
*   **Coaching Carousel:** The ever-changing landscape of college football coaching, often referred to as the