Lane Kiffin coaching history: Revisiting LSU coach’s wild journey from Raiders to Tigers

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Lane Kiffin coaching history: Revisiting LSU coach’s wild journey from Raiders to Tigers originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Lane Kiffin’s coaching career has never followed a predictable path. Kiffin became an NFL head coach before his 32nd birthday, lasted only 20 games with the Raiders and then spent one controversial season at Tennessee. His homecoming at USC ended with one of the most memorable firings in college football history.

That could have been the end of Kiffin’s run as a major head coach.

Instead, working under Nick Saban at Alabama helped him rebuild his reputation. Successful stops at Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss eventually positioned Kiffin to land another one of the biggest jobs in college football.

Now the head coach at LSU, Kiffin once again finds himself at the center of the sport.

Here is a complete look at Kiffin’s unusual coaching journey.

Lane Kiffin’s early coaching career

Kiffin began his coaching career as an assistant at Fresno State, where he had previously played quarterback. He later worked at Colorado State and spent the 2000 season as a defensive quality control assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pete Carroll brought Kiffin to USC in 2001.

Kiffin worked with the Trojans’ tight ends and wide receivers before eventually becoming the program’s offensive coordinator. USC went 23-3 during his two seasons as offensive coordinator in 2005 and 2006.

The Trojans averaged more than 35 points per game in both seasons. Kiffin’s work with quarterbacks Matt Leinart and John David Booty helped make him one of the fastest-rising young coaches in football.

Oakland Raiders, 2007-08

Raiders owner Al Davis hired Kiffin in January 2007.

Kiffin was only 31 when he received the job, making him the youngest head coach in the modern NFL at the time. His tenure quickly deteriorated amid public disagreements with Davis.

The Raiders went 4-12 during Kiffin’s first season. Davis fired him four games into the 2008 campaign after Oakland opened 1-3.

Kiffin finished with a 5-15 record. Davis announced the decision during a lengthy news conference in which he repeatedly criticized his former coach.

Tennessee, 2009

Kiffin returned to college football as Tennessee’s head coach in 2009.

His only season in Knoxville included plenty of controversy, close losses to Florida and Alabama and a trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. The Volunteers finished 7-6.

Kiffin abruptly left Tennessee in January 2010 after USC offered him the opportunity to replace Carroll. His departure after only 14 months angered Tennessee supporters and created a lasting connection between Kiffin and the Volunteers.

USC, 2010-13

Kiffin inherited a USC program facing severe NCAA sanctions.

The Trojans were banned from postseason competition during his first two seasons and lost 30 scholarships over three years. Despite those restrictions, USC finished 10-2 and ranked sixth in the final AP poll in 2011.

Expectations soared entering 2012, when the Trojans were ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP poll. USC instead collapsed to 7-6.

A 62-41 loss to Arizona State in September 2013 proved to be Kiffin’s final game. Athletic director Pat Haden fired him shortly after the team returned to Los Angeles, creating the infamous “tarmac” story that has followed Kiffin throughout his career.

He went 28-15 at USC.

Alabama, 2014-16

Kiffin’s move to Alabama changed the trajectory of his career.

Saban hired Kiffin as offensive coordinator in 2014. He immediately modernized Alabama’s offense and won the Broyles Award as the country’s top assistant coach.

The Crimson Tide captured three SEC championships during Kiffin’s three seasons and won the national championship for the 2015 season. Alabama reached the College Football Playoff in each of his three years.

Kiffin’s work with Blake Sims, Jake Coker and Jalen Hurts helped restore his standing as one of college football’s best offensive coaches.

Florida Atlantic, 2017-19

Florida Atlantic gave Kiffin another opportunity to run a program.

He took advantage of it.

The Owls went 11-3 and won the Conference USA championship during his first season. After slipping to 5-7 in 2018, FAU rebounded with another conference title and a 10-win regular season in 2019.

Kiffin went 26-13 in three seasons. His combination of winning, offensive creativity and social media personality made him a natural candidate for another Power Four job.

Ole Miss, 2020-25

Ole Miss hired Kiffin in December 2019.

He transformed the Rebels into a consistent SEC contender, going 55-19 across six seasons. Ole Miss recorded four double-digit-win campaigns during his tenure, including an 11-win regular season in 2025.

Kiffin also became one of the coaches most closely associated with the transfer portal. His ability to rebuild rosters and adjust his offense around new personnel helped Ole Miss compete with programs possessing greater traditional resources.

His departure, however, became nearly as memorable as his success.

Kiffin left for LSU on Nov. 30, 2025, with Ole Miss headed toward the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding and did not allow Kiffin to coach the Rebels in the postseason.

MORE: Kentucky shocks No. 9 Texas A&M with statement upset at Kyle Field

LSU, 2026-present

LSU hired Kiffin to return the program to national championship contention.

The move gave Kiffin access to one of the most talented recruiting territories in the country and a program that has won national championships under three different coaches since 2003.

It also completed one of the most remarkable coaching comebacks in recent memory.

Kiffin went from being fired by the Raiders and USC to rebuilding his reputation under Saban, winning conference championships at FAU and producing the best sustained stretch in modern Ole Miss history.

His path to LSU was unconventional, controversial and completely appropriate for one of college football’s most fascinating coaches.

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