Nick Saban should've relieved Lane Kiffin of his duties weeks ago, not now
Frankly, I’m a bit surprised that Lane Kiffin’s divorce from Nick Saban didn’t happen earlier than it did.
When Kiffin was announced as the new head coach at FAU, I figured he’d close up shop in Tuscaloosa immediately. Free from Saban once and for all, he could do as he pleased in Boca Raton and not have to worry about any more “ass chewings.”
But Kiffin agreed to stick with Alabama through the College Football Playoff. While the Crimson Tide overpowered Washington 24-7 in the Peach Bowl — one of the two national semifinals — it certainly wasn’t due to Kiffin’s offense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts managed a grand total of 57 yards through the air in a sloppy outing.
Now halfway through the playoff, Kiffin has been relieved of his duties. This was a firing, make no mistake about it.
“We made the decision because it was in the best interest of our players, our program and for Lane for him to assume his duties at Florida Atlantic,” Saban told ESPN on Monday. “We mutually agreed that this was best for both programs.”
Saban is saying all the right things, of course. He’s more CEO than head coach at this point, so he won’t let any Kiffin drama steer ‘Bama off course. However, imagine how clenched his teeth must’ve been when talking to the Worldwide Leader.
Despite the fact that Bo Scarbrough was a man possessed against the Huskies, Kiffin simply couldn’t help himself and kept passing to set up the run instead of the other way around. Hurts, still just a true freshman, was inefficient — both throwing and running, as a matter of fact — and not much of a factor.
Steve Sarkisian, who wasn’t supposed to call plays until next fall, will coordinate Saban’s offense against Clemson in the title game.
“After going through these last couple of weeks, trying to serve the best interests of two universities as an offensive coordinator and a head coach, it became apparent that both programs would be better served by me giving all my time and efforts to being the head coach at FAU,” Kiffin said in a statement. “After meeting with Coach Saban during preparations (Sunday) night and (Monday) morning, we mutually decided that it was in everyone’s best interests for the players and the program for Coach Sarkisian to take over all responsibilities as offensive coordinator for the championship game.
“This was a very difficult decision, but it’s a decision made in the best interests of the program. I look forward to helping Alabama win another championship, and would like to thank Coach Saban, the staff, and all the players and fans for the past three years at UA for an unforgettable time and championship run. Roll Tide!”

Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
There were four weeks between the SEC title game and the Peach Bowl. That seemingly would’ve been plenty of time to move Kiffin out and Sarkisian (above) in — he’d been serving as an “offensive analyst,” whatever that is — for the playoff.
Instead, Sarkisian has a grand total of seven days to prepare for a Tigers defense that just shut out Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Presumably, the last time he was this heavily involved prior to game day, he was drinking himself out of a job at USC midway through the 2015 campaign. Reportedly, he was even drunk for a game once.
This can’t be part of what Saban typically refers to as The Process. This is a Sandy Koufax-like curveball before the biggest game of the year.
“This wasn’t an easy decision, and we appreciate the way Lane handled this in terms of doing what is best for our team,” Saban said in a statement. “At the end of the day, both of us wanted to put our players in the best position to be successful. Obviously, we are in a unique situation here where we have our next offensive coordinator already on staff. We have full confidence that Sark will step in right away and make this a smooth transition.”
Apparently, the “best position to be successful” for Alabama is with Kiffin relegated to the depths of Conference USA. To paraphrase Thornton Melon from “Back to School,” Saban’s an earth sign. Kiffin’s a water sign. Together, they make mud.
What kind of an effect this will have on the Crimson Tide’s chances to win a fifth ring in eight seasons is anyone’s guess. While it’s the players actually making the plays, Kiffin has been the wizard behind the offensive curtain for three years — with three quarterbacks, too. He’s exceptional at what he does.
Sarkisian hasn’t served in a pure offensive-coordinator capacity since 2008 at Southern Cal, which was his second of three stops with the Trojans.
That season, the Men of Troy were second in the Pac-10 — the league was yet to expand to 12 teams — in total yards. Still, in five years as the head coach at Washington and one-plus at USC, only once did he have a Top 5 offense in the conference.
It’s certainly possible that Sarkisian calling plays will yield results no different than if Kiffin had stuck around for another week. Remember, ‘Bama is suffocating defensively. Unlike last season’s final, when Clemson’s Deshaun Watson went bananas, Hurts and Co. probably won’t have to score 45 points to win.
Nevertheless, if the Tide lose their rematch with the Tigers due to a poor offensive showing, this decision will be parsed all offseason long.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him anย e-mail, like him onย Facebookย or follow him onย Twitter.
Kiffin leaving his team for personal interest? where have I heard this before?
Kiffin is leaving because Saban told him to.
Anybody who believes this was some sort of mutual decision between Saban and Kiffin isn’t paying very close attention.
Totally agree with that. I also agree that the move should have happened sooner.
Why would Saban let Kiffin go with one game left? It makes no sense in terms of team consistency and chemistry to switch OC with a week left to go.
The only explanation I can buy is Kiffin wasn’t working as hard after getting his dream job down at FAU.
Of course you say “dream job” tongue in cheek, right??? Lol.
I think I seen the gus bus on fire the other night……
I don’t believe for one moment that a coach on the verge of a national title gives a tinker’s dam for what’s in the best interest of another program.
But then my comment should be disregarded because I am “insane”. (narrows eyes at Crist)
(shrugging shoulders)
The reason he wasn’t let go sooner was because Saban wanted to influence what tm he would (would NOT) coach for next. Everyone knew he was leaving after the season and they agreed to keep him through the playoffs “depending on what job he took” leading up to the game. Only way you reverse course this late (1wk b4 title gm) is if there were MAJOR issues. That, or you had no intention of letting him finish the yr to begin with.
They’ve dealt with whatever issues Saban and Kiffin had all yr so it’s odd that NOW is the breaking pt. Either there was a MAJOR between the 2 guys over the weekend or Saban had no intention of letting him finish and just waited long enough to get him the FAU job.
MAJOR fight…….
Hey John, at your next head coaching gig, how about you handle it differently. As for CNS and the Crimson Tide, you have NO IDEA the particulars that went into this decision…NONE…ZERO. Ever heard the ole expression, “assumptions are the mother of all f’ups. How about you get back with us next Tuesday morning.
Feel free to do the same at your next columnist gig.
You’re a blogger John, don’t forget that.
And not a good one.
And you’re an adult (supposedly) who idolizes a murderous drug dealer you saw in a cheesy ’80s movie, so much so that the character’s face better represents your personality than your own. Don’t forget that.
Wow. I think this is the second time I have defended Crist today. The Tony wannabe has serious issues. We know he has two man crushes, and he doesn’t mind letting us know that. Not a good look.
Oooh, look at the blogger get salty.
John Crist is the most self-righteous hypocrite this writing staff has who resorts to inflamitory statements because he can’t produce good content.. what do you expect?
we will get back at ya chump with the Clemson winning score
What did Auburn win this year?
TonyMontana4UofA- Never get high on your on supply. I can’t wait till next Tuesday, I’ll be here W or L will you.
Really, do you not know why he let Kiffin go? You should do some more research before you start writing. Kiffin made some bad comments to the wrong guy while looking for a house if in Florida and it got back to Saban. He busted Saban, the coaching staff and the city .
Yep, I’m surprised it took this long too. Kiffin getting left behind by the buses was a warning, not an accident. Also, it’s crazy to think that Sark hasn’t been on the field working with the offense all season (even though it would be against NCAA rules). As much as Saban hated keeping Kiffin on the past few weeks, he wouldn’t have turned the keys over to anyone else unless he felt they were ready. With Sark still being in “recovery”, it will be interesting to see how this works out.
That Johnny Walker takes the pain out of ass chewings
And if the O is excellent and Bama wins, the move will be declared a brilliant move.
Yada, Yada, Yada, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
So that Saban-Kiffin combo, the one that the media crucified Alabama over yet resulted in 3 straight playoff appearances and soon to be 2 national championships, is suddenly mud again? Crist you’re quickly becoming SDS’s most hated writer, an impressive feat considering all of the click bait trash yall produce. But I guess you’ll be putting your foot in your mouth after January 9th. I look forward to reading your article on all the reasons Clemson beat themselves in the natty.
The updyke army will be scratching their butts Tuesday looking for answers
I was referring to their personalities and styles. They couldn’t be more different. I’ve heaped nothing but praise on this team all season long and basically called them unbeatable, but by all means don’t let that ruin your rant.
“Hurts and Co. probably wonโt have to score 45 points to win.” Willing to put money on that?
I will bet you that Auburn won’t win……
Cannot wait to see Bammer go down Monday. End of the streak and unravelling of the “process”
Boomer
Even if Clemson wins it don’t take a loss away from Auburn…. How many games did they lose again?