Coaching carousel 2025-26

[CB4]

Interesting report:

Ole Miss Players Reportedly Confronted Lane Kiffin amid LSU Rumors, Overshadowing CFP

Players started recognizing the snake oil Kiffin had been selling.

 

[arthurdawg]

The system leaned on the QB every stop in the same way. There's a difference between needing a good QB and asking your QB to do too much. This system tends to rely on the QB for two thirds of the plays on offense, that's a lot to put on anyone's shoulders.

I do hope he kind of re-invents his system to be more balanced and rely less on the QB, but it's been this every year he's been a head coach. Even when they had a good running back putting up good stats, he was still just a change of pace. The next year his system doesn't rely as heavily on the QB will be the first. Justice Haynes demonstrated he wasn't the problem, by being one of the leading rushers in the nation until he got hurt, and he was still not used very often at Alabama.

To me that gets into what I think needs to be the evolution of DeBoer. I think he needs to adapt his system more to fit these style SEC athletes and furthermore, be on the lookout for excellent coaches to help break some of this offenses bad habits. There's a lot of fluctuation going on with coaches, hopefully some of that works to Alabama's advantage. He's had a chance to kind of solidify what he wants to do, now can he improve on it?

I have confidence in DeBoer to adapt. I think he recognizes he needs a stronger running game and it will happen as he brings in better OL, better RBs, and gets the ship settled. The running game is too important to overlook. We ain't going back to Coffee and Ingram and 3 yards and a cloud of dust from 2008, but I think a stronger rushing attack is in the cards and will happen.

 

[lowend]

I think Kiffin was nuts leaving Ole Miss, he had a legit NC contender at Ole Miss with less pressure, than what he's walking into in Baton Rouge..

Kiffin was treated like Trump at Ole Miss, walked away from being treated like a king, into a cajun hell that he'll never survive once a few losses adds up..

I wonder if the pressure of living in a small town and having so many secrets was catching up with Kiffin. If you peruse, and happen to believe, a certain single-lettered app, there's a lot of screen shots of things being shared. The only one that's family-friendly enough to post here is that his dog, Juice, wasn't even his dog - just a media prop - and is still in Oxford with his trainer/real owner.

I think we're going to see him implode spectacularly in Baton Rouge.

 

[cdub55]

I'd rather have Golding as a head coach than as a defensive coordinator.

If Golding worked at CVS and I was filling my prescription of antibiotics, I wouldn't trust him to give me medicine that would defend my immune system...

 

[BamaInBham]

The system leaned on the QB every stop in the same way. There's a difference between needing a good QB and asking your QB to do too much. This system tends to rely on the QB for two thirds of the plays on offense, that's a lot to put on anyone's shoulders.

I do hope he kind of re-invents his system to be more balanced and rely less on the QB, but it's been this every year he's been a head coach. Even when they had a good running back putting up good stats, he was still just a change of pace. The next year his system doesn't rely as heavily on the QB will be the first. Justice Haynes demonstrated he wasn't the problem, by being one of the leading rushers in the nation until he got hurt, and he was still not used very often at Alabama.

To me that gets into what I think needs to be the evolution of DeBoer. I think he needs to adapt his system more to fit these style SEC athletes and furthermore, be on the lookout for excellent coaches to help break some of this offenses bad habits. There's a lot of fluctuation going on with coaches, hopefully some of that works to Alabama's advantage. He's had a chance to kind of solidify what he wants to do, now can he improve on it?

You continue to refer to Haynes, but he had a bad year last year other than a couple of long runs vs G5 teams. It’s like his heart wasn’t in it. I’m not sure. IMO, the med stats don’t tell the whole story: There were points in games where on a 3rd and short conversion, he could have easily made it with minimal effort and he failed. He was bad on pass pro. It was better that he move on because it was like he already had in his heart - maybe he was hurt, idk.

Btw, I was a big JH fan and felt he was under used in ‘23. I thought he would be a great fit in DeBoer’s system but I was wrong or he just didn’t want to be here any longer. I don’t blame him. Saban was gone and tho CKD’s culture seems to be player friendly, it may not be what JH was comfortable with. All of that is fine but I would not use him as an example. Something wasn’t right.

IMO, it may be year 5 before we know what DeBoer’s system really looks like because of the change in OL types.

You keep referring to too much being required of the QB. IMO, that’s not going to be a problem. Look what they’ve done with Ty who they did not recruit. He has some limitations that their guys won’t have. Even his training was under others. Look at the QB recruits they have brought in and are bringing in. I.e., they can evaluate and develop with the best - they may be the best.

Just a general comment not directed towards you: IMO, DeBoer is a very smart man and he’s only in his 4th year at the P4 level and look what he has accomplished. This, even though he inherited 2 good situations, including some real hurdles, it’s really amazing. 46-9, 1 conf champ, 1 NC game, playing for another conf champ, good chance to make another playoff. Has not had time to fully implement his system in either place. Appears to have created a welcoming culture and mentally tough attitude. No talk of anxiety. Was ahead of the curve re: a GM. Creating a player lead program. He inhabits a complicated world and he, like all, is flawed but the outlook is good. Many don’t care, but he is also a great guy.

 

[mlh]

He can get less popular than now?

Yeah, okay...well then...4 days ago.

 

[bamaga]

Listening to Finebaum and Dinnich on GETUP this morning , saying Early Signing is the problem for Kiffin, he had to recruit for LSU.and for the all the coaches taking jobs before their team is finished this year. I’m screaming at the idiots when they say nothing can be done about it. Hey, move signing day back to February, or mid January so they can early enroll for spring ball. And yes, the way CFB is moving, most schools will allow for delayed enrollment. Mid January signing would only affect 4-8 teams.

 

[BearFoot]

With current setup, I don’t see how waiting until the end of the playoffs would be an option.

Again, even if you don’t think the way Saban handled leaving Miami is comparable, how do you explain Saban recommending Kiffin take the LSU job?

Then turn around and bash Kiffin for doing it, but without a solution for HOW it should have been done.

It’s just Kiffin hate, plain and simple. It was a no win situation for Kiffin and that’s why nobody can answer my question of how it should have been handled, nor explain how Saban would advise Kiffin to make the move, but just two years ago Saban was one of the MAJOR reasons Bama didn’t hire him.

It makes no sense. So instead of face-palming my posts, tell me how it should have been handled with the current setup…

With the obscure ways in which you keep structuring your arguments in support of your brother, Lane, it’s becoming obvious that you intend to die upon this hill…pushing a narrative that is twisted and convoluted, while turning a blind eye to the most obvious route he should have taken… which would have been to stay committed to the team of players that he had convinced to commit to him as a coach, until the end of the season…and then move on to LSU.

It’s not the fact that your brother, Lane, left OM for LSU…but the manner in which he did it. He loves playing games, and being talked about…as all sociopathic narcissists love the spotlight shining on them. Every move he made over the past few weeks (what he said, as well as what he didn’t say) was calculated to insure that Lane Kiffin was being talked about on every TV and Radio show during the crescendo of the college football regular season. He didn’t care who would end up getting burned in the firestorm…as long as his EGO got stroked.

The man-child has not matured at all over the last few years, despite what has been reported. Just like most narcissists though, Lane Kiffin has learned to present himself outwardly (and pretend) to be something he’s not. It’s all an act…watch him in interviews…watch his eyes, and the way he chooses to say what he says…and doesn’t say. People who study human behavior can watch Lane’s interviews over the years and easily see that he’s a sociopathic narcissist who has adapted his outward presentation in an effort to cover his inner nature.

 

[BamaInBham]

Ole Miss is only a better job “right now” because of Kiffin.

And as I’ve said maybe LSU would have waited…but it sure seemed like it really wasn’t Kiffin forcing the issue as much as it was timelines and ultimatums being given to him.

That’s where I fail to to see what he did that is so unforgivable this time, and just makes him a horrible human being.

I guess in your eagerness to defend Kiffin, you are not paying attention. Whatever the reason, I agree that LK would have stayed through the playoffs if he could. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. This has already been answered more than once: the point is that taking the LSU job at this time makes that an impossibility. No athletic dept is going to let a departing HC to a rival remain on the premises for another month. And LK knew that.

So, what is the only answer? He could do what others have done over the years which is to tell them you are very interested but you must wait til after the season is over. Gene Stallings did that in 1982, Alabama went in a different direction. He kept his integrity and ultimately got the job and won an epic NC. Nick Saban did that in 2007, Alabama waited and after a false step Mal Moore brought home the prize. We know what happened.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I have confidence in DeBoer to adapt. I think he recognizes he needs a stronger running game and it will happen as he brings in better OL, better RBs, and gets the ship settled. The running game is too important to overlook. We ain't going back to Coffee and Ingram and 3 yards and a cloud of dust from 2008, but I think a stronger rushing attack is in the cards and will happen.

Go look at the rushing attempts per game this year. Alabama has ran the ball a lot with very anemic results in most games. Several games there are more rushing attempts, and in several cases it’s right at 50/50.

Coaching the line and backs, or getting better line and backs is the issue, not the playcalling.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Don’t look now but Franklin has declared war on Penn State’s recruiting class.

 

[cdub55]

Listening to Finebaum and Dinnich on GETUP this morning , saying Early Signing is the problem for Kiffin, he had to recruit for LSU.and for the all the coaches taking jobs before their team is finished this year. I’m screaming at the idiots when they say nothing can be done about it. Hey, move signing day back to February, or mid January so they can early enroll for spring ball. And yes, the way CFB is moving, most schools will allow for delayed enrollment. Mid January signing would only affect 4-8 teams.

I'd rather take a cold plunge in Antarctica and lay on a block of ice eating raw fish with killer whales. I digress...

 

[KrAzY3]

I have confidence in DeBoer to adapt. I think he recognizes he needs a stronger running game and it will happen as he brings in better OL, better RBs, and gets the ship settled. The running game is too important to overlook. We ain't going back to Coffee and Ingram and 3 yards and a cloud of dust from 2008, but I think a stronger rushing attack is in the cards and will happen.

I'm not sure I'd say confidence because I stated the expected ratios prior to this season and they ratios were very much in line with what I expected. It's hard for me to change my opinion when my predictions are accurate. I have also noted somewhat of an attempt to fix that, but there's a fish out of water element to those attempts. It's a new trick to learn, but one I very much hope is. I for the record never said DeBoer was a bad coach, he's clearly smart and was capable of success on the west coast. My concern has always been about his system's compatibility in the SEC and his ability to take advantage of Alabama's talent. If he adapts well to the situation he can have a lot of success.

I swear you got lost on what thread your posting in

I just have an unfortunate habit of replying to (some) posts directed at me. Not all mind you, heh. I tried to bring up other coaches a couple of times but if I'm being pendantic it's not in terms of categorization but rather responding to things said to me. You know, like this.

Go look at the rushing attempts per game this year. Alabama has ran the ball a lot with very anemic results in most games. Several games there are more rushing attempts, and in several cases it’s right at 50/50.

Coaching the line and backs, or getting better line and backs is the issue, not the playcalling.

Alabama thus far this year has handed the ball off on 38.8% of the plays. While still in the predicted zone (30-40%), it's trending in the right direction (it was near 33% at one point). However, if we remove the EIU game, it drops back down to 36.9%, so still obviously quite low but there are signs they are trying to figure it out, which is hopeful.

Anyway, for the sake of the topic has anyone heard about any potential coaching hires for Alabama? They're already looking for one guy for sure. If I have a vote in the matter, it would also be an OL coach that has a history with a good running game.

 

[BamaMoon]

You continue to refer to Haynes, but he had a bad year last year other than a couple of long runs vs G5 teams. It’s like his heart wasn’t in it. I’m not sure. IMO, the med stats don’t tell the whole story: There were points in games where on a 3rd and short conversion, he could have easily made it with minimal effort and he failed. He was bad on pass pro. It was better that he move on because it was like he already had in his heart - maybe he was hurt, idk.

Btw, I was a big JH fan and felt he was under used in ‘23. I thought he would be a great fit in DeBoer’s system but I was wrong or he just didn’t want to be here any longer. I don’t blame him. Saban was gone and tho CKD’s culture seems to be player friendly, it may not be what JH was comfortable with. All of that is fine but I would not use him as an example. Something wasn’t right.

IMO, it may be year 5 before we know what DeBoer’s system really looks like because of the change in OL types.

You keep referring to too much being required of the QB. IMO, that’s not going to be a problem. Look what they’ve done with Ty who they did not recruit. He has some limitations that their guys won’t have. Even his training was under others. Look at the QB recruits they have brought in and are bringing in. I.e., they can evaluate and develop with the best - they may be the best.

Just a general comment not directed towards you: IMO, DeBoer is a very smart man and he’s only in his 4th year at the P4 level and look what he has accomplished. This, even though he inherited 2 good situations, including some real hurdles, it’s really amazing. 46-9, 1 conf champ, 1 NC game, playing for another conf champ, god chance to make another playoff. Has not had time to fully implement his system in either place. Appears to have created a welcoming culture and mentally tough attitude. No talk of anxiety. Was ahead of the curve re: a GM. Creating a player lead program. He inhabits a complicated and he, like all, is flawed but the outlook is good. Many don’t care, but he is also a great guy.

Great post...every bit of it.

There are 2 guys that touch the ball every play: the center and the QB. QB play is centric to any and every offense. Like you point out, we threw the ball more with several of our QBs like Tua and Bryce. IIRC, often if was like 60/40 throw to run!

And to your point about the guys CKD is recruiting at QB. Man, I couldn't be more exicted about several of these guys.

And one thought about Russell. Someone I think has an eye for detail about football, told me they think (and I quote) "Russell's basement is higher than Ty's ceiling."

If that's true, and if CKD can improve the OL/RB situation, we've only seen a portion of what this offense may look like in a year or two!

 

[selmaborntidefan]

If he had done your 2nd point, the Kiffin hate/outrage would still be just as bad for “quitting on his team”….

Lane Kiffin WANTED the drama and attention that came with "will he or won't he" for the better part of a week. That whole "we're gonna meet after the Egg Bowl" nonsense was "hey, look at me!"

I'm a little wary in the current setup of "quitting on his team" given we saw players enter the portal during the playoffs from playoff teams last year.

Even tho upgrading jobs, there was no other way to handle it.

Really?

You expect me to take seriously, "Hey, Lane Kiffin had no choice but to draw attention to himself for ten days so that everyone was talking about him"?

Because I don't.

Unless like it was suggested he tell LSU to wait and I don’t think that’s really a legit option from the current setup, the Ole Miss ultimatum, and potentially LSU telling him they won’t wait.

Lane Kiffin was, like Saban to Alabama in 2006, THEIR FIRST CHOICE.

Whether LSU is as much an upgrade as it used to be is an open question. In the last nine years, LSU has fired two national championship winning coaches and a guy who played for one at another school. LSU SHOULD BE an upgrade over Ole Miss at least in theory, but their treatment of coaches begs a number of questions.

Remember: this is a school that dangled "should we keep Miles or let him go" all through 2015, kept him with big money - only to can him over clock mismanagement in the 2016 Auburn game. It was panic buying along the lines of Auburn giving Gus Malzahn $49 million out of fear he'd go to Arkansas and beat them. This is also a school that fired a guy as quickly as Auburn fired their national championship winning coach.

It should be easier to recruit and win there. LSU coaches are 42-23 during the same time Kiffin at Ole Miss is 50-14, and remember: that starts in 2021 when LSU should have had a bumper crop of recruits based on the 2019 national championship (that second year is usually the "big haul year").

Kiffin will do better than Pete Golding in the same time frame but hell, my sister's dog would coach better than Pete Golding.

 

[Its On A Slab]

Lane Kiffin WANTED the drama and attention that came with "will he or won't he" for the better part of a week. That whole "we're gonna meet after the Egg Bowl" nonsense was "hey, look at me!"

I'm a little wary in the current setup of "quitting on his team" given we saw players enter the portal during the playoffs from playoff teams last year.



Really?

You expect me to take seriously, "Hey, Lane Kiffin had no choice but to draw attention to himself for ten days so that everyone was talking about him"?

Because I don't.



Lane Kiffin was, like Saban to Alabama in 2006, THEIR FIRST CHOICE.

Whether LSU is as much an upgrade as it used to be is an open question. In the last nine years, LSU has fired two national championship winning coaches and a guy who played for one at another school. LSU SHOULD BE an upgrade over Ole Miss at least in theory, but their treatment of coaches begs a number of questions.

Remember: this is a school that dangled "should we keep Miles or let him go" all through 2015, kept him with big money - only to can him over clock mismanagement in the 2016 Auburn game. It was panic buying along the lines of Auburn giving Gus Malzahn $49 million out of fear he'd go to Arkansas and beat them. This is also a school that fired a guy as quickly as Auburn fired their national championship winning coach.

It should be easier to recruit and win there. LSU coaches are 42-23 during the same time Kiffin at Ole Miss is 50-14, and remember: that starts in 2021 when LSU should have had a bumper crop of recruits based on the 2019 national championship (that second year is usually the "big haul year").

Kiffin will do better than Pete Golding in the same time frame but hell, my sister's dog would coach better than Pete Golding.

My favorite Les Miles moment was Ole Miss-LSU 2009. LSU completed a pass deep in Ole Miss territory with 1 second left on the clock. He failed to have his FG team ready, and by the time the ball was set, their QB tried to spike it. Game over.

The look on his face was priceless. Reminded me of the constant state of mass confusion on Pat Dye's sidelines......AU won back then by sheer talent alone.

 

[KrAzY3]

Kiffin will do better than Pete Golding in the same time frame but hell, my sister's dog would coach better than Pete Golding.

I think Kiffin has a better chance of winning a NC at LSU but he also has a much higher chance of imploding as well. You can still tell by some of his behavior he's not exactly mature, he's just a better coach now. Ole Miss was fortunate to have an easier schedule than LSU had the past couple of years, so it made Kelly look worse in relation.

Kiffin is going to have to step up against a higher level of competition. The main concern I have with him is if he pairs with a truly great defensive coordinator, someone that can balance his crazy a bit, he's going to be really hard to beat.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I'm not sure I'd say confidence because I stated the expected ratios prior to this season and they ratios were very much in line with what I expected. It's hard for me to change my opinion when my predictions are accurate. I have also noted somewhat of an attempt to fix that, but there's a fish out of water element to those attempts. It's a new trick to learn, but one I very much hope is. I for the record never said DeBoer was a bad coach, he's clearly smart and was capable of success on the west coast. My concern has always been about his system's compatibility in the SEC and his ability to take advantage of Alabama's talent. If he adapts well to the situation he can have a lot of success.

I just have an unfortunate habit of replying to (some) posts directed at me. Not all mind you, heh. I tried to bring up other coaches a couple of times but if I'm being pendantic it's not in terms of categorization but rather responding to things said to me. You know, like this.



Alabama thus far this year has handed the ball off on 38.8% of the plays. While still in the predicted zone (30-40%), it's trending in the right direction (it was near 33% at one point). However, if we remove the EIU game, it drops back down to 36.9%, so still obviously quite low but there are signs they are trying to figure it out, which is hopeful.

Anyway, for the sake of the topic has anyone heard about any potential coaching hires for Alabama? They're already looking for one guy for sure. If I have a vote in the matter, it would also be an OL coach that has a history with a good running game.

The Alabama site is way off on their stats then. I’m not terrible at math, but it wasn’t a 65/35 split I saw on their game recaps.