Hire Lane Kiffin (Seriously?)
11 comments so far
October 1, 2008 by
I'm taking five minutes away from obsessing about Nebraska's game against Missouri to offer this lark. Nebraska should hire recently fired Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. While it is supremely unlikely this would really happen, there are some pretty interesting reasons why NU could be a good fit for Kiffin.
First, let me just say that the Raiders are a pretty screwed up organization. Al Davis - once an iconoclastic and proud NFL owner - has become a joke in a jumpsuit. Al - quit firing coaches. Build through the draft. Re-establish a few shreds of credibility. Then, find a successor before your franchise is a total wasteland. But, since you are discarding perfectly fine head coaches, maybe the Husker can benefit.
Kiffin would be a great fit at NU. For starters, he's a young and successful offensive football mind. I know that NU does not have any opening right now. But that doesn't mean they won't at the end of the year.
No, nobody is getting fired. But, what if Shawn Watson leaves to pursue a head coaching job? Sure many NU fans have a man crush on the guy, but don't tell me it hasn't crossed your mind. Kiffin is schooled in the West Coast offense and would be a good person to transition to.
Kiffin is also a legacy. His father Monte, who is now the defensive coordinator at Tampa Bay, has a distinguished record from his time running NU's defense. Sure, there may be a couple of hard feeling for the Kiffins since a very young and inexperienced guy named Osborne hurdled over Kiffin the elder for the NU head coaching spot. But, seriously, you have to think that Bo Pelini and Monte Kiffin are cut from some of the same cloth, right? Wouldn't Monte's son like a chance to wear the Scarlet and Cream too? Come on, work with me here.
Okay so, there is a downside. The last Raiders cast off the Huskers picked up for their staff didn't work out so hot. But, you can't hang Bill Callahan's sins on Lane Kiffin. Can you? Seriously...Kiffin's record at USC alone should be enough atonement.
The other hurdle for NU to get Kiffin is that he very likely wants to remain a head coach. Can you blame him? And, that job isn't available at NU. Right now, Kiffin is already being rumored as a candidate to replace Greg Robinson at Syracuse. Wait, wasn't that supposed to be Turner Gill's job to lose?
There is one final reason to hire Kiffin at NU. Do it to help Turner Gill get a better job!
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Brandon Oct 01 08
Kid you not, at the game Saturday night--after a batted down 3rd and 2 pass--I heard someone yell "Let Watson leave, we'll get Kiffin."
In fact, it was the guy right next to me. My best friend so you've at least got him riding shotgun on this bandwagon.
Dywane Oct 02 08
Thought had crossed my mind several times the past few weeks. Would he not command a higher salary then the head coach?
Cubehead Oct 02 08
No more former NFL head coaches. No more former Oakland Raiders head coaches. No wire hangers ever!
bnahusker Oct 02 08
A year and a half in the Raiders organization may have ruined this kid for life. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why someone would want the HC position in Oakland.
After intense therapy, or a cold beer, Lane should land on his feet. In Lincoln? I'm not so sure.
GBR
Beat Mizzou!
Bob
Andy Oct 02 08
Cubehead: I would say Kiffin was a college guy that got pulled up to a pro job, ala Barry Switzer or Steve Spurrier.
That said, there is no way he takes an OC or assistant position when there will a few semi-high profile jobs available next year (Syracuse and Washington come to mind).
bnahusker Oct 02 08
Logistics and reality notwithstanding, I'd love to see him land with the Chiefs, Chargers or Broncos. Just to see him pay Big Al back, ala Shanahan.
Instant Karma is gonna get you.
Go Huskers!
Bob
tom Oct 02 08
As a huge Chiefs fans, I say the Chiefs could use him. He'll land on his feet somewhere, but it would be better for him to be back in the college ranks. Now for a pro coach like Mike Sherman, he should go back to the NFL. He is setting back A&M 5-10 years.
Greg Morrow Oct 02 08
Cheery sentiment and everything, but I'm not digging the college adaption of this offense, at the moment. Wats deserves somebodies HC gig somewhere, which to me opens things up for Beck, unless Bo would want big Barney to do it.
What I want, is what the offense would have evolved to, from '04 on, had the former design and coaches stayed in place. Simply, because of the running game. O-line pleasing power plays being served, would have still been about 40% of the offense (the foundation). With influences of spread options and the gradual increased percentages of passing off the runs.
The staff wanted a 65/35 division, instead of the 75/25, of '02 and 03. Just sayin,' it would have looked good, right about now, averaging about 250 yards rushing and 150 or more, passing. Wouldn't it?
You've got experienced linemen and depth, an experienced qb, who's more athletic and backs like Lucky and Helu, who's pushing for full time. And they can't get it going. They need to pass, to ensure 1st downs.
Now, this year Wats is doing what he has to do, that's just real.
Next year, I'd think creative efforts will be at work on the offense, especially with a new qb on the saddle.
DAN Oct 02 08
"unless Bo would want big Barney to do it", you got to be kidding - I believe "big Barney" is our problem in running the ball. Has he ever been overly successful in coaching an "offensive line" any where? I bleed red for him but that doesn't get the job done.
Greg Morrow Oct 02 08
Dan
You should take a point in context, first. Like reading the complete sentence. I put Beck in first and that's IF Watson moves on.
Who hired big Barney? Who named him "Associate Head Coach-Offensive line?"
Did Barney design this offense? The running plays? He could come up with running plays his line would be good at executing, imo.
In '03, he was the OC AND line coach. They weren't great, but they were identical statistically to '02. Amazingly so.
The running game's problems aren't his fault. It's the offense. Not enough hats plowing down hill, at the point of attack.
It is what it is. It will be modified, with possibly entire packages being replaced.
Just not this year.
Bill in Iowa Oct 03 08
I think it's a little early to be evaluating Barney or Watson. I like both guys, but I am definatately scratching my head by a lack of an almost gauranteed running attack. I just think we should give them some time to develop their players, move personel around (hint, hint) and work-out their particular schemes, before rushing to judgement. However, if Watson were to leave, I wouldn't let Lane Kiffin's short stint at the nations all-time worst NFL outfit deter me from supporting him. I think he would be a steal. But like you said, he probably can land a head coaching position, if he wants.