The final member of Alabama’s 2016 conference title team now has his ring.
Before he accepted a head coaching position at Florida Atlantic University, Lane Kiffin served under head coach Nick Saban as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016.
#3PeatRTR pic.twitter.com/zfDL69gZ4U
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) May 3, 2017
In three seasons, the Tide averaged 36.9 points and 455.6 yards offensively.
Kiffin found ways to generate 40 to 50 points at will, while helping seven rushers total 500-plus yards. He assisted two 1,000-yard running backs – Derrick Henry and Damien Harris – and a 2,000-yard rusher in Derrick Henry, who would win the Heisman Trophy in 2015. (395 carries, 2,219 yards, 28 touchdowns)
The 41-year-old mentored two 3,000-yard passers in Blake Sims and Jacob Coker, and aided quarterback Jalen Hurts to being the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2016. He collected 2,780 passing yards, 954 rushing yards and a school-record 36 touchdowns responsible for a season ago.
He tutored both Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley into being 1,000-yard wide receivers and All-American selections. Under Kiffin, both Cooper (first round) and ArDarius Stewart (third round) were selected in the NFL Draft. He was a part of three SEC championship teams and a College Football Playoff national title squad, during the 2015 college football season.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
