Lane Kiffin isn’t stoked about returning to Phoenix with Alabama
Jan 9, 2016, 3:38 PM | Updated: Jan 10, 2016, 3:07 pm
Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin talks with the media before the Fan Day football practice, Sunday, Aug 9, 2015, at the Naylor-Stone Media Suite in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/AL.com via AP)
(Vasha Hunt/AL.com via AP)
Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin doesn’t have the best memories of Phoenix.
Back in town with his Crimson Tide ready to play the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game in nearby Glendale, Ariz., Kiffin spoke to reporters at the game’s media session on Saturday.
Despite a rough recent history in the Valley, he had a few jokes in him.
Kiffin on Phoenix: “Last time I was here I got fired. Time before that was for the (USC) NCAA hearing. So, yeah, a lot of great memories.”
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) January 9, 2016
Kiffin is referring to his last game as USC Trojans head coach, a 62-41 loss at Arizona State back in 2013. When he got off the plane from Arizona and arrived in Los Angeles, he was reportedly fired on the tarmac by athletic director Pat Haden. Before that, he met in Arizona regarding his hire and NCAA sanctions levied against the Trojans. Reporters at the national championship media day had no fear asking the tough questions. Was Kiffin literally fired on the tarmac after that infamous ASU loss?
Lane Kiffin asked about his firing from USC “Were you actually fired on the tarmac?” Kiffin joked “I was a good 20 yards off the tarmac.”
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) January 9, 2016
Now we know.
