Reports of LSU coach Ed Orgeron’s plan to hire Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin to the same position received a bit more validity Monday.

During a speech at the Knoxville Quarterbacks Club, former Tennessee assistant coach Kippy Brown said the Tigers removed Orgeron’s interim tag partly because of his intentions to hire Kiffin. Brown coached under Kiffin during his lone year with the Volunteers and was named his interim after Kiffin bolted to USC in 2010.

Many outlets originally reported Orgeron, who coached alongside Kiffin at Tennessee and USC, made a point during a meeting with school administrators that he wished to lure his old colleague to Baton Rouge.

Brown’s comments further strengthen that claim, especially after Alabama coach Nick Saban denied having any knowledge of a potential move for Kiffin.