Lane Kiffin, Who’s Your Daddy?
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has made a living as a dominant football coach, winning seven national championships and creating one of college football's greatest dynasties. One aspect of Saban's legacy has become his college coaching disciples who have gone off to become head coaches and leaders in programs of their own.
One disciple who has grown to appreciate what once appeared to be a strained relationship is Ole Miss Lane Kiffin. To celebrate Father's Day this past season Kiffin decided to celebrate Saban with some good natured fun on Twitter.
Kiffin spent three years under Saban at Alabama from 2014-16 helping the Tide win a national title in 2015. The charismatic coach was unceremoniously fired just prior to the 2017 national championship as he had accepted the head coaching position at Florida Atlantic.
Kiffin has taken to enjoying the Twitter platform to needle Saban since his departure but there appears to be an element of respect behind the fun. Kiffin included Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart in on his Father's Day fun, he and Smart were on the Saban staff together at Alabama for two seasons before he departed for the SEC East.
The two coaches have only met twice on the field with Saban emerging victorious on both occasions. The Crimson Tide defeated Kiffin's Tennessee squad in 2009 12-10 and then the Tide took down the 2020 Ole Miss Rebels 63-48 in Oxford.
Alabama and Ole Miss will square off on Oct. 2 in Bryant Denny Stadium in the Tide's SEC home opener.