ESPN's Mark Schlabach explains Lane Kiffin not considered by Alabama, defends Kalen DeBoer hire
Alabama completed its coaching search on Friday, reportedly hiring former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to take over the Crimson Tide program. Several candidates were mentioned for the job, but one who never seemed to gain much traction was Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
The 48-year-old Kiffin just completed an 11-2 season with the Rebels but was reportedly never a candidate to replace Nick Saban, who he previously worked for at Alabama.
ESPN insider Mark Schlabach joined Paul Finebaum on Friday and explained why.
“I love Lane, but he was fired the Monday before the national championship game,” Schlabach said, referencing the 2016 season.
Finebaum pushed back, arguing that enough time has passed that perhaps Kiffin should have been a serious candidate.
“He was fired in what, 2016? There’s no doubt Lane Kiffin is a different person today. Why wasn’t he considered?” Finebaum said. “He was fired seven years ago, and I think he’s put up a pretty good track record at Ole Miss. I’m just trying to understand.”
Schlabach reiterated his point. Kiffin was hired as the head coach at FAU ahead of the 2016 College Football Playoff. The plan was for Kiffin to split time with Alabama and FAU until the Crimson Tide’s season was over.
However, Saban wasn’t happy with the way Lane Kiffin was splitting his time and Kiffin reportedly missed some prep time. He was ultimately fired ahead of the national title game and replaced as offensive coordinator by Steve Sarkisian.
“He was fired the Monday before a national championship game. I mean just think about it,” Schlabach said. “You’re getting ready to play for a national championship, you’re not at work when you’re supposed to be and they’re forced to bring in Steve Sarkisian off the bench.”
Alabama ended up losing that game as Clemson won its first national title since 1981.
Several years later, that is reportedly why Lane Kiffin never was a serious contender to replace Nick Saban.
Mark Schlabach believes in Kalen DeBoer
There are plenty of differing opinions about whether or not Kalen DeBoer will be successful at Alabama.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach expects him to do well in Tuscaloosa and to win big with the Crimson Tide.
“People have just got to give DeBoer a chance. I mean I’ve been wrong before, certainly, about whether or not a guy’s going to succeed at a place, but I get that he’s not from the South. … He’s not from the SEC. He hasn’t coached in the SEC,” Schlabach said. “But the guy’s a hell of a football coach. He’s been a head coach for nine years and he’s lost 12 games. I know a lot of that was at the NAIA level but tremendous football coach, tremendous offensive mind.
“He has to get some recruiters, he’ll have to get a good defensive coordinator. There’s no guarantee, but look, there’s no guarantee if Kirby Smart steps in there that he equals what Nick Saban did. I mean there’s only one guy who’s done that. So it’s going to be tough for anybody. But I think DeBoer’s got a pretty good chance.”