Career Timeline of Kliff Kingsbury: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Kliff Kingsbury built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kliff Kingsbury is an American football coach currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders in the NFL. Prior to coaching, Kingsbury was a quarterback, playing college football at Texas Tech where he achieved top passing records. He was drafted into the NFL in 2003 by the New England Patriots and subsequently played for other NFL and CFL teams. His coaching career began in 2008.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1998: Played for Texas Tech Red Raiders

In 1998, Kliff Kingsbury started playing quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

1999: Appeared in Six Games for Texas Tech

In his redshirt freshman year in 1999, Kliff Kingsbury appeared in six games for Texas Tech, starting the season finale against Oklahoma.

2000: Assumed Starting Role at Texas Tech

In 2000, Kliff Kingsbury assumed the starting quarterback role at Texas Tech, connecting on 362 of 585 passes for 3,418 yards, 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

2002: Played for Texas Tech Red Raiders

In 2002, Kliff Kingsbury concluded his playing career as quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

2002: Led Nation in Passing Yards

In 2002, Kliff Kingsbury led the nation with 5,017 passing yards and 45 passing touchdowns, averaging 350.2 yards per game. He also led Texas Tech to a 9-5 record and a victory in the Tangerine Bowl.

2003: Drafted by New England Patriots

In 2003, Kliff Kingsbury was drafted by the New England Patriots with the 201st overall selection. He spent the year on injured reserve but received a Super Bowl ring.

September 6, 2004: Waived by Patriots

On September 6, 2004, Kliff Kingsbury was waived by the New England Patriots.

2004: Signed to New Orleans Saints Practice Squad

In 2004, Kliff Kingsbury signed with the New Orleans Saints to the team's practice squad and participated in training camp.

September 6, 2005: Signed to Denver Broncos Practice Squad

On September 6, 2005, Kliff Kingsbury was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad.

September 21, 2005: Released by Denver Broncos

On September 21, 2005, Kliff Kingsbury was released by the Denver Broncos.

September 28, 2005: Signed with New York Jets

On September 28, 2005, Kliff Kingsbury signed with the New York Jets.

November 20, 2005: NFL Debut with New York Jets

On November 20, 2005, Kliff Kingsbury made his NFL debut for the New York Jets against the Denver Broncos, completing one of two pass attempts for 17 yards.

May 30, 2006: Waived by Jets

On May 30, 2006, Kliff Kingsbury was waived by the New York Jets.

2006: Signed and Cut by Buffalo Bills

In 2006, Kliff Kingsbury signed with the Buffalo Bills and attended training camp, but was cut before the regular season.

2006: Assigned to Cologne Centurions

In 2006, the Jets assigned Kliff Kingsbury to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe, where he posted the top quarterback rating of any Cologne quarterback (73.7).

March 30, 2007: Signed with Montreal Alouettes

On March 30, 2007, Kliff Kingsbury signed with the Montreal Alouettes.

August 2008: Joined Houston Cougars as Quality Control Coach

In August 2008, Kliff Kingsbury joined the Houston Cougars as a quality control coach.

2008: Entered Coaching

In 2008, Kliff Kingsbury transitioned from playing professional football to coaching.

2009: Recognition for Houston Offense

In 2009, Kliff Kingsbury received recognition for the performance of the Houston offense with Case Keenum at the helm.

2011: Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach

In 2011, Kliff Kingsbury served as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Houston Cougars, leading an offense that led the NCAA in nearly all offensive statistics.

2011: Offensive Coordinator for Houston Cougars

In 2011, Kliff Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator for the Houston Cougars, who led the NCAA in nearly all offensive statistics, averaging 50 points and nearly 600 yards per game that season.

December 12, 2012: Head Coaching Job with Texas Tech

On December 12, 2012, Kliff Kingsbury accepted the head coaching job with the Texas Tech Red Raiders with a contract including a salary of $10.5 million over five years.

2012: Offensive Coordinator for Texas A&M Aggies

In 2012, Kliff Kingsbury was named the offensive coordinator for the Texas A&M Aggies, coaching Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel.

August 30, 2013: Head Coaching Debut

On August 30, 2013, Kliff Kingsbury made his head coaching debut with a 41–23 victory over the SMU Mustangs.

September 12, 2013: Associated Press Top 25 Debut

On September 12, 2013, The Red Raiders made their Associated Press Top 25 debut in the Kingsbury era following a win over TCU.

October 12, 2013: Started Season 6-0

On October 12, 2013, Kliff Kingsbury became the first coach in Texas Tech history to start the season 6–0 in their debut season after the Red Raiders defeated Iowa State.

October 19, 2013: 7-0 Start

On October 19, 2013, after a victory against West Virginia, Kingsbury led the Red Raiders to a 7–0 start for only the fourth time in program history.

2013: Holiday Bowl Upset

In 2013, Kingsbury and the Red Raiders capped off the season with a 37–23 upset over the #14 ranked Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl.

2013: Head Coach of Texas Tech

In 2013, Kliff Kingsbury became the head coach of Texas Tech.

August 29, 2014: Contract Extension

On August 29, 2014, Kingsbury received a $1 million raise to $3.5 million and a contract extension through 2020.

December 2018: Kingsbury hired as USC offensive coordinator

In December 2018, Kliff Kingsbury was hired by USC as their new offensive coordinator.

2018: Mayfield Drafted First Overall

In 2018, Baker Mayfield was selected first in the NFL draft.

2018: Red Raiders started the season 5-2

In 2018, Kliff Kingsbury's Texas Tech Red Raiders began the season strongly with a 5–2 record after defeating Houston and Oklahoma State. The team ended the season with five consecutive losses, resulting in a 5–7 record.

2018: Head Coach of Texas Tech

Kliff Kingsbury served as head coach of Texas Tech until 2018.

January 8, 2019: Kingsbury hired as Arizona Cardinals head coach

On January 8, 2019, Kliff Kingsbury was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, which some attributed to the "Sean McVay effect".

2019: Head Coach of Arizona Cardinals

In 2019, Kliff Kingsbury became the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL.

2019: Kingsbury not retained for 2019 season

On November 25, 2018, athletic director Kirby Hocutt announced that Kliff Kingsbury would not be retained for the 2019 season due to three straight losing seasons overall and six straight losing seasons in the Big 12. Kingsbury left with a 35–40 overall record.

2020: Cardinals finished 3rd in NFC West

In 2020, Kliff Kingsbury's Arizona Cardinals finished 3rd in the NFC West with an 8–8 record.

2020: Kingsbury Contract Extension End Date

Kliff Kingsbury's Contract extension ended in 2020

2022: Kingsbury fired by the Arizona Cardinals

Despite signing a six-year contract extension earlier in 2022, Kliff Kingsbury was fired after the Arizona Cardinals posted a 4–13 record. His tenure concluded with a 28–37–1 record and one playoff appearance.

2022: Head Coach of Arizona Cardinals

Kliff Kingsbury's tenure as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals ended in 2022.

April 2023: Kingsbury joined USC Trojans as senior offensive analyst

In April 2023, Kliff Kingsbury joined the USC Trojans as a senior offensive analyst under head coach Lincoln Riley, collaborating with quarterback Caleb Williams.