Conference USA fined Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin $5,000 over the weekend for violating the league’s sportsmanship policy after he tweeted a photograph mocking game officials and suggesting they are blind.
@ConferenceUSA pic.twitter.com/C1B3GT9ODz
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) October 20, 2019
“I just lost $5,000 for a tweet,” Kiffin told ESPN on Sunday. “We have freedom of speech, but I guess around here there’s no such thing as freedom to tweet. Maybe LeBron James will come out and comment about it tomorrow.”
In a 36-31 loss to Marshall on Friday, Florida Atlantic was penalized nine times for 90 yards, including several penalties that came in key moments of the game. And while Kiffin was hesitant to call the referees out following the loss, he obviously chose to take a different approach once he signed onto Twitter.
In the aftermath of Kiffin’s tweet and subsequent fine, USC Trojans long-snapper, Jake Olson, who is legally blind, sent a hilarious tweet of his own to Kiffin.
My man @Lane_Kiffin I’m for hire!! Although to be completely transparent I have a interview with Larry Scott’s office on Monday… so hmu quick if you’re interested! https://t.co/BDRvi98GLB
— Jake Olson (@JakeOlson61) October 21, 2019
That’s gold, Jerry! Gold!
