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Alabama coach Nick Saban announced Monday that Lane Kiffin will depart from his post as offensive coordinator with the Crimson Tide prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and will focus on his duties as the next head coach of FAU. New offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who was recently announced as Kiffin’s replacement after spending this season as an offensive analyst for Saban, will begin immediately with preparation for the big game against Clemson.
“We appreciate all that Lane has done for our football program over the last three years,” Saban said in a statement. “We sat down following the Washington game and talked about the time demands of managing both jobs, and we recognized that it is best for our players, and for Lane, that we allow him to turn his full attention to his new head coaching role at FAU.
“This wasn’t an easy decision and we appreciate the way Lane handled this in terms of doing what is best for our team. At the end of the day, both of us wanted to put our players in the best position to be successful. Obviously, we are in a unique situation here where we have our next offensive coordinator already on staff. We have full confidence that Sark will step in right away and make this a smooth transition.”
Kiffin helped Alabama to a national championship last season, and also guided Alabama to three straight SEC championships. Saban has allowed an OC to remain with the team during the championship game after getting a new head coaching gig in the past, so some are saying he flat out fired Kiffin, but Lane says it was a mutual decision to part ways early.
“After going through these last couple of weeks, trying to serve the best interests of two universities as an offensive coordinator and a head coach, it became apparent that both programs would be better served by me giving all my time and efforts to being the head coach at FAU,” Kiffin said in a statement. “After meeting with Coach Saban during preparations last night and this morning, we mutually decided that it was in everyone’s best interests for the players and the program for Coach Sarkisian to take over all responsibilities as offensive coordinator for the championship game. This was a very difficult decision, but it’s a decision made in the best interests of the program. I look forward to helping Alabama win another championship, and would like to thank Coach Saban, the staff, and all the players and fans for the past three years at UA for an unforgettable time and championship run. Roll Tide!”
Alabama will face Clemson in the national championship on Jan. 9.
source: SEC Country
