Greetings.
First of all, I am from Tennessee. Followed that program closely for about 15 years. My opinion is not popular up there, but I figured since you guys are his program of employment, you'd like to hear it.
Lane Kiffin was the best coach to take up residence in Knoxville in that time period. Saban has made a tremendous hire.
Kiffin's work ethic, intelligence, offensive acumen, and recruiting ability will greatly benefit the Tide. The QBs will likely benefit the most. Jonathan Crompton was simply a horrendous football player. Lane Kiffin turned him into an NFL draft choice. That should tell you all you need to know about his QB coaching skills.
As a head coach, Lane is ultimately responsible for what happened at USC, but I think he's a very good head coach.
In 2009, he did very well at Tennessee. Tennessee was not in a good place. Walk ons were littered across the two-deep. However, his team hammered Georgia and South Carolina. They almost beat number 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, as I'm sure you guys are aware. What he did in recruiting was also excellent. What Tennessee fans will tell you is he destroyed their program for the next few years. In actuality, he helped it. He was the man responsible, in whole or in part, for the recruitment of Tyler Bray, Ja'Wuan James, Justin Hunter, and Da'Rick Rogers, just to name a few. He had assembled an All-Star staff and was going to win a couple SEC titles.
However, he left for USC. This embittered most Vol fans and warped their grasp on reality. I'd leave for my dream job, as I'm sure most of you would. A giant misconception is that he inherited a USC program that was on solid footing. It wasn't. Pete Carroll, planned or not, got out of town right on time. There were a bunch of busts and recruiting misses (Frankie Telfort, Jarvis Jones, Alshon Jeffery, Vontaze Burfict, Manti Te'o). USC was trending downward. That is why they were in the Emerald Bowl against Boston College in 2009.
Lane's 8 victories in 2010 was pretty much consistent with USC's talent level. His 10 wins and a victory over Oregon on the road in 2011 was a glistening over-achievement. However, it ended up hurting Lane more than helping him, because it set unrealistic expectations on his 2012 squad. Under sanctions, Lane was unable to build the program back up from the ashes of mediocrity. 2012 was a bad year, and 2013 started off poorly, as well, because of the time it typically takes to break in a new QB. Pat Haden, in a cowardly act, fired Lane. Lane did not receive the opportunity to turn around the 2013 ship. Karma is a ....., though. Haden eventually hired Steve Sarkisian, who will be miserably mediocre in Los Angeles.
I don't think the media or college football fans, in general, understand how tough it was/is to play under sanctions. What Lane did under sanctions was quite impressive. His winning % under sanctions is better than Butch Jones' without sanctions, for instance.
In short, do not be disappointed if Lane Kiffin leaves after 2-3 years of success in Tuscaloosa. I wouldn't be shocked to see him be the next head coach at Alabama, if I were being honest.
I think the administration at Alabama is smart. Kiffin will shine, and they'll see that.
That sounds good. Rolling on!
