Lane Kiffin indicated he is open to being a head football coach again, but said he is in no rush to find such a job.
Kiffin has enjoyed success revamping Alabama's offense for the last two seasons, which also entailed a starting quarterback competition one season and the loss of a top-flight wide receiver. He is looking forward to returning as Alabama's offensive coordinator and finding out what is next.
"I'd love to be back," The Dallas Morning News quoted Kiffin telling reporters Sunday. "We'll have a new set of challenges with a third year of a new quarterback and replacing a Heisman Trophy winner [Derrick Henry], just as we did with a Biletnikoff winner the year before [Amari Cooper], and some great returning players to work with. I'd be real excited about that."
If Will Muschamp can go from head coach to coordinator back to head coach in three seasons, Kiffin can certainly get another head coach job. His rocky track record as a head coach is well documented, but like others before him, Kiffin may well benefit from the Nick Saban experience.
"I don't think that there are very many people who would answer the question, 'I don't want to be a head coach,'" he said. "When and if that time comes, I know I am much better prepared than I was before."
Citing unnamed sources, ESPN.com reported Kiffin meant what he said, though there is no indicating what kind of career move he might make this time next year.
Kiffin is preparing the Alabama offense for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Michigan State's physical defensive front, which promises to be an intriguing challenge for the Tide's ground-and-pound game plan.
