Career Timeline of Lane Kiffin: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Lane Kiffin built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Lane Kiffin is an American football coach with a notable career. He's held head coaching positions at various levels, including the Oakland Raiders (NFL), University of Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic, and Ole Miss. Known for his offensive play-calling and sometimes controversial personality, Kiffin's career has been marked by both successes and challenges. As of 2024 he has become the head coach at LSU, hoping to continue success there.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1999: Graduate Assistant at Colorado State

In 1999, Lane Kiffin worked as a graduate assistant at Colorado State University and the Rams played in the Liberty Bowl.

2001: Joins USC Staff

In 2001, Lane Kiffin began working with the University of Southern California (USC) staff.

2002: USC Wide Receivers Coach

Prior to the 2002 season, Lane Kiffin became the wide receivers coach at USC.

2004: USC Passing Game Coordinator

For the 2004 season, Lane Kiffin added the duties of passing game coordinator at USC.

2005: Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator at USC

In 2005, Lane Kiffin was promoted to offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at USC, also continuing as wide receivers coach.

2005: Offensive Success at USC

In the 2005 season, USC had two thousand-yard receivers, a thousand-yard rusher, and a 3,000-yard passer. Kiffin was the offensive coordinator.

2006: Passing Efficiency Leader

In 2006, under Kiffin's guidance, the USC Trojans finished first in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency.

January 23, 2007: Hired as Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders

On January 23, 2007, Lane Kiffin was hired by the Oakland Raiders as their head coach, becoming the youngest head coach in modern NFL history.

August 12, 2007: Raiders Win Preseason Opener

On August 12, 2007, Lane Kiffin and the Oakland Raiders won their preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

September 23, 2007: First Regular Season Win

On September 23, 2007, Lane Kiffin recorded his first regular season win as an NFL head coach when the Raiders defeated the Cleveland Browns.

2007: Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders

In 2007, Lane Kiffin became the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

September 30, 2008: Kiffin Fired by Raiders

On September 30, 2008, Lane Kiffin was fired by Al Davis over the telephone.

November 28, 2008: Reports of Kiffin as Head Coach for Tennessee

On November 28, 2008, multiple media outlets reported that Lane Kiffin would be the next head football coach for the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

November 30, 2008: Kiffin Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Tennessee

On November 30, 2008, Lane Kiffin signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Tennessee, including a $2 million salary in 2009.

December 1, 2008: Kiffin Introduced as Tennessee Head Coach

On December 1, 2008, Lane Kiffin was formally introduced as the head football coach for the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

2008: Plans for Offseason Changes

At his end-of-the-season press conference in 2008, Lane Kiffin told the media and his players that he had many plans and changes he was going to make in the 2008 offseason.

2008: Oakland Raiders Head Coach

In 2008, Lane Kiffin continued his role as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

February 4, 2009: Tom Cable Named Raiders Head Coach

On February 4, 2009, Tom Cable was made the permanent head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

2009: Head Coach at University of Tennessee

In 2009, Lane Kiffin became the head coach at the University of Tennessee.

2009: Head Football Coach for the University of Tennessee Volunteers

In 2009, Lane Kiffin began his tenure as the head football coach for the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

2009: Coaching Record at Tennessee

In 2009, Lane Kiffin led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 7-6 record.

2009: Team Option Year

In 2009, the Oakland Raiders had a team option for Lane Kiffin's contract.

January 12, 2010: Returns to USC as Head Coach

On January 12, 2010, Lane Kiffin returned to USC to become the Trojans' head coach.

2010: Leaves Tennessee for USC

During the 2010 recruiting season, Lane Kiffin left the Tennessee Volunteers to accept the head coaching job at the University of Southern California.

2010: Head Coach at USC

In 2010, Lane Kiffin became the head coach at USC.

2010: Buyout Clause

In 2010, Lane Kiffin's contract with the University of Tennessee included a buyout clause of $7.5 million.

2010: Kiffin's First Season at USC

In 2010, Lane Kiffin's first season at USC, the team finished with an 8–5 record but was ineligible for post-season play due to NCAA sanctions. Several players transferred due to a new NCAA guideline, and USC played with a reduced number of scholarship players.

2012: Buyout Clause Decreased

After the 2012 season, Lane Kiffin's buyout clause decreased to $5 million.

2012: Kiffin Resigns from Coaches' Poll Voting

In 2012, Kiffin resigned from the USA Today Coaches' Poll after one vote due to controversy over his preseason selection of USC as No. 1. The Trojans finished the season with a 7-6 record and were unranked after starting the season at #1.

September 28, 2013: Kiffin Fired by USC

On September 28, 2013, after a 62-41 loss to Arizona State, USC Athletics Director Pat Haden fired Lane Kiffin hours after the game. The dismissal occurred at Los Angeles International Airport. Ed Orgeron took over as interim coach.

December 2013: Kiffin Reviews Alabama Crimson Tide Offense

In December 2013, Lane Kiffin spent eight days in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, reviewing the Alabama Crimson Tide football team's offense.

2013: Continued as Head Coach at USC

In 2013, Lane Kiffin continued his tenure as the head coach at USC.

January 9, 2014: Kiffin Interviewed for Alabama Offensive Coordinator Job

On January 9, 2014, Lane Kiffin interviewed for the vacant offensive coordinator job at Alabama after Michigan hired Doug Nussmeier.

2014: Offensive Coordinator at Alabama

In 2014, Lane Kiffin became the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama.

2014: Salary with University of Tennessee

In 2014, Lane Kiffin was scheduled to make a high of $2.75 million with the University of Tennessee.

December 12, 2016: Kiffin Accepts Head Coaching Position at Florida Atlantic University

On December 12, 2016, Lane Kiffin accepted the head coaching position at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

2016: Offensive Coordinator at Alabama

In 2016, Lane Kiffin remained the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama before being hired by Florida Atlantic.

January 2, 2017: Kiffin Relieved of Duties as Alabama OC

On January 2, 2017, Lane Kiffin was relieved of his duties as Alabama's Offensive Coordinator. Steve Sarkisian replaced him for the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship.

December 19, 2017: FAU Wins Boca Raton Bowl

On December 19, 2017, Kiffin led the FAU Owls to a 50-3 victory over Akron in the Boca Raton Bowl, finishing the season 11-3.

2017: Head Coach at Florida Atlantic

In 2017, Lane Kiffin took on the role of head coach at Florida Atlantic.

December 6, 2019: Kiffin Close to Accepting Ole Miss Head Coaching Position

On December 6, 2019, it was reported that Lane Kiffin was close to accepting the head coaching position at Ole Miss.

2019: Kiffin Leads FAU to Second C-USA Championship

In 2019, Kiffin led FAU to a 10-win season and a second C-USA championship.

2019: Head Coach at Florida Atlantic

In 2019, Lane Kiffin served as the head coach at Florida Atlantic.

2019: Head Coach at Ole Miss

In 2019, Lane Kiffin transitioned from head coach at Florida Atlantic to head coach at Ole Miss.

2020: Head Coach at Ole Miss

In 2020, Lane Kiffin became the head coach at Ole Miss.

2020: Kiffin's First Season at Ole Miss

In the 2020 season, Kiffin won his first game at Ole Miss against Kentucky. Ole Miss finished 5-5 and received an invitation to the 2021 Outback Bowl.

August 2021: Kiffin's New Contract Details Released

In August 2021, Lane Kiffin's new contract details with Ole Miss were released, amounting to $21 million in base pay through 2024.

2021: Ole Miss Becomes First 100% Vaccinated NCAA Football Team

Prior to the 2021 season, Lane Kiffin led Ole Miss to become the first NCAA football team 100% vaccinated against COVID-19. Kiffin also tested positive for COVID-19 before the season opener. The Rebels finished the regular season 10-2.

2023: Ole Miss Rebels Record in 2023 Season

In the 2023 season, the Ole Miss Rebels rebounded strongly to finish 11–2, marking the first 11-win season in school history, with a victory in the Peach Bowl.

2024: Kiffin's Contract Term

In August 2021, Kiffin's new contract details with Ole Miss were released, amounting to $21 million in base pay through 2024.

2024: Ole Miss Rebels Record in 2024 Season

In the 2024 season, Kiffin led the Rebels to a 9–3 record, and defeated Duke 52-20 in the Gator Bowl to finish the season 10–3. Jaxson Dart set the Ole Miss single-season passing yards record.

November 22, 2025: Announcement on Kiffin's Future Expected

On November 22, 2025, Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter confirmed that an announcement on Coach Kiffin's future was expected on November 29. It was reported that LSU was finalizing an offer that would make Kiffin one of the highest-paid college football coaches.

November 30, 2025: Kiffin to Meet with Team

On November 30, 2025, Kiffin was to meet with the team, but the meeting was postponed due to staff retention issues. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over as head coach for the playoffs.

2025: Head Coach at LSU

In 2025, Lane Kiffin left his position prior to playoffs at Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU.

2025: Ole Miss Achieves an 11-Win Regular Season

In the 2025 season, Kiffin led the Rebels to an 11-win regular season for the first time in school history, with victories over #4 LSU and #11 Oklahoma.