Kennedy Polamalu and Lane Kiffin reportedly got into fight before bowl game

The recent firing of running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu by USC head coach Lane Kiffin came as a surprise to most people. Kennedy was the only former Trojan player on staff, and he was considered to be a top recruiter. Though his job title listed him as offensive coordinator, that position was held mostly in name since Kiffin called the plays. But it sounds like Polamalu clashed with Kiffin, leading to his dismissal.

The Daily News’ Scott Wolf reported late Friday evening that the two had a “heated argument” on Dec. 29, two days before the team’s 21-7 Sun Bowl loss to Georgia Tech. Wolf described the incident as a “fallout.”

Kiffin kept Polamalu on staff through national signing day Feb. 6, but he was fired two days later. Wolf says Polamalu learned of his firing by reading the news on the Internet, and that Kiffin never called him. Wolf quotes a source who says that Kiffin may have felt threatened by Polamalu’s outspoken nature.

Since we do not know what happened between the two, it’s hard to say whether the firing was justified. Based on his recruiting success — Polamalu was instrumental in USC offering a scholarship to star wide receiver Marqise Lee — it seems strange that he would be fired. It also feels wrong that Polamalu read about his firing and still hasn’t heard from Kiffin.

Photo via USC athletics