The story of how Lane Kiffin began his coaching career is incredible and seems to fit in perfectly with his personality.
Kiffin, 43, was a backup quarterback at Fresno State from 1994-1996. Just when he thought he was going to get some action as a senior in 1997, David Carr came around. Carr, who eventually became a No. 1 pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, took Kiffin’s backup reps (both were behind Billy Volek on the depth chart).
Kiffin was frustrated by losing so many reps, so he showed up to practice one day with shorts and a T-shirt, telling quarterbacks coach Jeff Tedford that all his reps were going to Carr anyway. Carr, who told the story for Stadium, says that Kiffin was told to leave practice. Carr figures that some calls were made after that, because Kiffin returned to practice that day as an assistant wide receivers coach, officially beginning his coaching career.
Here’s the story via Carr:
David Carr tells the story of how Lane Kiffin's coaching career began in the most @Lane_Kiffin way possible.
(@FresnoStateFB, @DCarr8) pic.twitter.com/XL9vJFFEw3
— Stadium (@WatchStadium) October 4, 2018
Even though that was a bratty way to go about things, switching from playing to coaching was the best move Kiffin could have made. He quickly ascended the coaching ranks, making his way to USC’s staff as an assistant from 2001-2006. By 2007 he was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders, although we all know how that ended.
Kiffin has experiences his ups-and-downs in the coaching profession and now finds himself rebuilding his career at Florida Altantic.
