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 currently serving as the head coach at Ole Miss. He has a notable career, including assistant coaching roles at USC from 2001-2006. Kiffin transitioned to head coaching positions, leading the Oakland Raiders (2007-2008), the University of Tennessee (2009), and USC again from 2010-2013. His career has been marked by both success and controversy, but he remains a prominent figure in college football.

Sections (5)

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

1969: John Madden becomes Raiders coach

In 1969, John Madden, at 32 years old, was elevated to the head coach position by Al Davis.

1999: Graduate Assistant at Colorado State University

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

2001: Assistant Coaching Position at USC

In 2001, Lane Kiffin began his tenure at the University of Southern California as an assistant coach.

2001: USC Staff Member

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 for the University of Southern California (USC).

2004: Passing Game Coordinator

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

2005: Offensive Coordinator at USC

In 2005, Lane Kiffin was promoted to offensive coordinator at USC, along with Steve Sarkisian. The 2005 USC offense broke numerous school records.

2006: End of USC Assistant Coaching Positions

In 2006, Lane Kiffin concluded his time as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California.

2006: Trojans finished first in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency

In 2006, the Trojans finished first in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency by averaging 142.8 passer rating, produced two, 1,000-yard receivers – Dwayne Jarrett (1,105) and Steve Smith (1,083) – and a 3,000-yard passer John David Booty, with 3,347 yards. The team produced top 20 statistics in most NCAA offensive categories and concluded with a 32–18 win over the then #3 ranked team the University of Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

January 23, 2007: Hired by the Oakland Raiders

On January 23, 2007, Al Davis hired Lane Kiffin as the head coach for the Oakland Raiders. At 31 years old, he became the youngest head coach in Raiders history.

August 12, 2007: First NFL Head Coaching Debut

On August 12, 2007, in his NFL head coaching debut, Lane Kiffin and the Raiders won their preseason opener 27–23 over 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 26-24.

2007: Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders

In 2007, Lane Kiffin became the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL).

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.

December 1, 2008: Introduction as Tennessee Head Coach

On December 1, 2008, Lane Kiffin was formally introduced as the 21st head football coach of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

2008: Raiders Head Coach

In 2008, Lane Kiffin was still head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

February 4, 2009: Cable Made Permanent Head Coach

On February 4, 2009, Tom Cable, who was given interim head coaching duties after Kiffin's firing, was made the permanent head coach of the Raiders.

2009: Head Coach at University of Tennessee

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

2009: Tennessee Volunteers Record

In 2009, Lane Kiffin led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 7–6 record, an improvement from their 5–7 record in 2008. Losses included a blow-out loss to Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

2009: Head Coach at Tennessee

In 2009, Lane Kiffin was the head football coach for the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

2009: Team Option

In 2009, the Raiders had a team option for Lane Kiffin.

January 12, 2010: Kiffin Returns to USC as Head Coach

On January 12, 2010, Lane Kiffin returned to USC to become the Trojans' head coach following Pete Carroll's departure.

2010: Kiffin Leaves Tennessee for USC

During the 2010 recruiting season, Lane Kiffin left the Volunteers after one season as coach to accept the head coaching job at the University of Southern California after Carroll left for the Seattle Seahawks.

2010: Head Coach at USC

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

2010: First Season at USC and NCAA Sanctions

In 2010, Lane Kiffin's first season at USC, the Trojans finished with an 8–5 record but were ineligible for post-season play due to NCAA sanctions. Several players transferred due to an NCAA exception, and USC played with only 71 scholarship players.

September 28, 2013: Kiffin Fired as USC Head Coach

On September 28, 2013, Lane Kiffin was fired as USC's head coach after a 62–41 loss to Arizona State. He was dismissed by Athletics Director Pat Haden at Los Angeles International Airport. Ed Orgeron took over as interim coach.

December 2013: Kiffin Reviews Alabama's Offense

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

2013: End of USC Head Coaching

In 2013, Lane Kiffin concluded his time as the head coach at USC.

January 9, 2014: Kiffin Interviews for Alabama Coordinator Job

On January 9, 2014, 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.

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

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

2016: Hired as Head Coach at Florida Atlantic

In 2016, Lane Kiffin was hired to be the head coach at Florida Atlantic.

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

On January 2, 2017, Lane Kiffin, after accepting the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic, was relieved of his duties as Alabama 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, culminating in an 11–3 season in his first year.

December 6, 2019: Reports of Kiffin Accepting Ole Miss Head Coaching Position

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

December 2019: Head Coach at Ole Miss

In December 2019, Lane Kiffin became the head coach at Ole Miss.

2019: FAU Wins C-USA Championship

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

2020: First Season at Ole Miss

In Kiffin's first season 2020 at Ole Miss, the team finished 5–5 with a 4–5 record in the SEC, leading to a 2021 Outback Bowl invitation.

August 2021: New Contract Details Released for Kiffin at Ole Miss

In August 2021, new contract details were released for Kiffin at Ole Miss, amounting to $21 million in base pay through 2024, with $4.5 million paid out in 2021 and over $5 million in each of the remaining three seasons.

2023: Ole Miss Record and Peach Bowl Victory

In 2023, Ole Miss finished with an 11–2 record and a victory in the Peach Bowl, marking the first 11-win season in school history.

2024: Ole Miss Season Record and Gator Bowl Win

In the 2024 season, Kiffin led Ole Miss to a 9–3 record, with an upset victory over #2 Georgia. They defeated Duke in the Gator Bowl 52–20, finishing the season 10–3. Jaxson Dart became the winningest quarterback in program history.

2024: Kiffin's contract with Ole Miss

Kiffin's four-year contract totaled $16.2 million and would pay him $3.9 million in 2020 with a $100,000 yearly increment thereafter. In 2024, Kiffin's contract with Ole Miss expires.

November 17, 2025: Ultimatum from Ole Miss Regarding Kiffin's Future

On November 17, 2025, it was reported that Ole Miss gave Kiffin an ultimatum to decide on his future before the season finale against Mississippi State after reports that his family had visited Gainesville and Baton Rouge.