While its commonplace for college football coaches to visit coaches on other campuses for idea exchanges, this one rates as a curious fit. According to ESPN's Brett McMurphy, fired former USC coach Lane Kiffin is in Tuscaloosa Monday to visit with Nick Saban's staff and have a look at the Crimson Tide's offense.
Kiffin and Saban, of course, couldn't be more different, and in too many ways to count. Success would be one, given that Kiffin lost as many games at Southern Cal in a month this season (two) as Saban has lost in two years. Kiffin was let go by the Trojans after a 62-41 loss at Arizona State in late September.
Typically, these chalkboard sessions happen in the spring, and involve multiple members of coaching staffs visiting schools outside of their own conference. Kiffin still remains outside of every conference, so there would certainly be no competitive reason for him not to check in on Tide offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. But being only 38, and with far too much ego to get out of coaching after an unceremonious ouster, Kiffin's presence in Tuscaloosa leaves little doubt he has every intention of walking a sideline somewhere in 2014.
Perhaps, if Saban's program is to have any influence, with a little more emphasis on the running game. While he's at it, Kiffin might want a tip or two on blocking field goals. After all, the one time the two crossed swords as head coaches, Kiffin was on the brink of spoiling a national championship season before this happened.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
