Ever since Lane Kiffin arrived at Alabama in 2014 as the team’s offensive coordinator, speculation surrounding when he would find another head coaching job was a popular topic. One of Kiffin’s former quarterbacks, however, isn’t sure the new Florida Atlantic coach really likes being a head coach.

“There was nothing unique about what he did,” Mitch Mustain told the Sun-Sentinel. “It just seemed to us, there was no effort for it. It was almost as if he was wholly disinterested in being the head coach. You can tell he enjoys the play-calling. He enjoys working with the offense and making that run. He was very good at it. As for the whole thing, it seemed that maybe it just wasn’t really where he wanted to be.”

Mustain and Kiffin crossed paths in 2010 at Southern Cal. Kiffin was in his first season as head coach of the Trojans, while Mustain was in his final season with USC after transferring from Arkansas. Kiffin has previously been head coach of the Oakland Raiders (2007-08) and Tennessee Volunteers (2009). Mustain, who was the backup to starter Matt Barkley that season, also defended Kiffin against the characterization that he’s a “buffoon.”

“I think a lot of people think of him as this buffoon figure,” Mustain said. “I’ve heard it 10 times: ‘He’s spoiled. He’s riding on his dad’s coattails.’ I can understand why that stands, but I think a lot of people don’t understand that Lane Kiffin is honestly a very intelligent, very capable football coach.

“Honestly, I hope that Lane can rebuild it. In terms of his head coaching reputation, I hope he can iron it out. I hope he can come up with something that works and do a better job. I don’t know. It’ll be interesting.”

Kiffin was introduced as Florida Atlantic’s new coach on Dec. 13.