A marquee defender of Nick Saban’s legacy in college football showed up Thursday at SEC Media Days.
Lane Kiffin arrived at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville (Tenn.) to discuss his team, but he got into a conversation where he had to defend his former boss at the podium. Kiffin, the head coach of Ole Miss, likes to poke fun at Coach Saban, but he does not enjoy it when others take shots at the seven-time national champion. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum stated how Saban’s legacy would be affected if the University of Alabama football program missed the College Football Playoff for a second straight year. Kiffin joins national media pundits such as ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee to not fall for the “dynasty is dead” statements again.
RELATED: Paul Finebaum calls Nick Saban’s 2022 coaching job ‘the worst’ of his tenure at Alabama
Kiffin feels that Finebaum has given Saban added motivation to continue pursuing championships.
Lane Kiffin on the dynasty that Nick Saban has built at Alabama @abc3340
“It’s why we have Finebaum to motivate him every other year and say oh his dynasty is over and then we’re like hey thanks a lot for pissing him off” pic.twitter.com/U30PUdBDxv
— Chris McCulley (@ChrisMcCulleyTV) July 20, 2023
“That is why we have Finebaum so he can motivate him every other year and say ‘Oh, his dynasty is over and this is the end of Saban,'” Kiffin said. “We are now like ‘Thanks for pissing him off.’ Paul is always wrong on this subject, and he did it again the other day. If he [Saban] does not make the playoff, then he’s not even good as a coach. Thanks. Thanks, Paul.”
RELATED: Failing to make CFP in 2023 could affect Nick Saban’s legacy per Paul Finebaum
Kiffin is one of several coaches that will travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face the Crimson Tide in the fall.
Saban has been at his best when his teams are doubted in the offseason.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
