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 and former quarterback. He excelled as a quarterback at Texas Tech, setting numerous school records before being drafted into the NFL in 2003. After a brief playing career in both the NFL and CFL, Kingsbury transitioned into coaching in 2008. His coaching career includes positions at both the collegiate and professional levels.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1998: Began Playing for Texas Tech

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

1999: First Collegiate Season

In 1999, Kliff Kingsbury appeared in six games during his redshirt freshman year, starting the season finale against Oklahoma. He completed 25 of 57 passes for 492 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

1999: Freshman Quarterback Award

In 1999, Kliff Kingsbury was the first freshman quarterback to win the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award.

2000: Assumed Starting Role at Texas Tech

In 2000, Kliff Kingsbury became the starting quarterback for Texas Tech, connecting on 362 of 585 passes for 3,418 yards, 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. His season ended with a loss to East Carolina in the Galleryfurniture.com Bowl.

2002: End of Playing Career at Texas Tech

In 2002, Kliff Kingsbury concluded his career as a quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, having set numerous school and conference records.

2002: Record-Setting Senior Season

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

2003: Drafted by Patriots

In 2003, Kliff Kingsbury was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th round, but he spent the year on injured reserve.

September 6, 2004: Waived by Patriots

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

2004: Signed to Saints Practice Squad

In 2004, Kliff Kingsbury was signed to the New Orleans Saints' practice squad and spent the entire season there.

September 6, 2005: Signed to Broncos Practice Squad

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

September 21, 2005: Released by 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 the Jets

On November 20, 2005, Kliff Kingsbury made his NFL debut playing 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 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 New York Jets assigned Kliff Kingsbury to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe, where he posted the top quarterback rating of 73.7 and completed 58 of 102 passes for 633 yards and two touchdowns.

March 30, 2007: Signed with Montreal Alouettes

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

August 2008: Joined Houston Cougars as Coach

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

2008: Began Coaching Career

In 2008, Kliff Kingsbury started his coaching career after playing in the NFL and CFL.

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 served as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Cougars, leading the NCAA in nearly all offensive statistics, averaging 50 points and nearly 600 yards per game.

December 12, 2012: Named Head Coach of Texas Tech Red Raiders

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

2012: Offensive Coordinator for Texas A&M Aggies

In 2012, Kliff Kingsbury became the offensive coordinator for the Texas A&M Aggies, coaching Johnny Manziel and leading the team to top rankings in multiple offensive categories. He was named a finalist for the Broyles Award.

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: Red Raiders in AP Top 25

Following a win over TCU on September 12, 2013, Kliff Kingsbury's Red Raiders made their Associated Press Top 25 debut.

October 12, 2013: 6-0 Start to Debut Season

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 defeating Iowa State.

October 19, 2013: 7-0 Start for Red Raiders

On October 19, 2013, Kliff Kingsbury led the Red Raiders to a 7–0 start for only the fourth time in program history with a victory against West Virginia. The team received a 10th place ranking in the BCS, the highest since the 2008 season.

2013: Head Coach of Texas Tech

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

2013: Holiday Bowl Win

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

August 29, 2014: Contract Extension and Raise

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

2015: Lost Texas Bowl to LSU

The 2015 season concluded at 7–6 before losing in the Texas Bowl to LSU.

2016: 8th Place in Big 12

In 2016, the Red Raiders finished 5-7 and in 8th place in the Big 12, despite having the 6th best offense and the worst defense in Division I FBS.

2017: Signs of Improvement

The 2017 season ended with a 6-7 record, but the team showed signs of improvement with the offense finishing #16 in the country and the defense jumping up to joint #58 overall.

December 2018: Hired by USC

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

2018: Red Raiders Season

In 2018, Kliff Kingsbury's team, the Red Raiders, began the season strongly, achieving a 5-2 record with victories over Houston and Oklahoma State. However, they lost their final five games, ending the season at 5-7.

2018: End of Texas Tech Coaching

Kliff Kingsbury's tenure as head coach of Texas Tech ended in 2018.

January 8, 2019: Hired as Head Coach of Arizona Cardinals

On January 8, 2019, Kliff Kingsbury was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals after resigning from USC. Some attributed this hiring to the "Sean McVay effect".

2019: Head Coach of Arizona Cardinals

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

2019: Kingsbury's Departure

On November 25, 2019, Kliff Kingsbury was not retained for the next season by athletic director Kirby Hocutt, due to three consecutive losing seasons and six straight losing seasons in the Big 12. His overall record was 35-40, with 19-35 in Big 12 play.

2020: Cardinals finished 3rd in NFC West

In 2020, the Arizona Cardinals, coached by Kliff Kingsbury, finished 3rd in the NFC West with an 8-8 record.

2022: Kingsbury Fired by Cardinals

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

2022: End of Arizona Cardinals Coaching

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

April 2023: Joins USC Trojans as Analyst

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