LOS ANGELES (Sports Network) - On the same day Pete Carroll was introduced as the next head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, the University of Southern California named his successor in Lane Kiffin.
USC athletic director Mike Garrett made the announcement late Tuesday night.
"We are really excited to welcome Lane Kiffin back to USC," said Garrett. "I
was able to watch him closely when he was an assistant with us and what I saw
was a bright, creative young coach who I thought would make an excellent head
coach here if the opportunity ever arose. I'm confident he and his staff will
keep USC football performing at the high level that we expect.
Kiffin was previously a member of Carroll's staff at USC from 2001-06,
eventually being elevated to offensive coordinator for the 2005 and 2006
seasons. He also assumed the role of recruiting coordinator for those seasons.
He was then given his first head coaching gig when Al Davis lured him to the
NFL. Kiffin, though, lasted less than two seasons with the Oakland Raiders,
compiling a 5-15 record before leaving in a bitter war of words with Raiders
owner.
Tennessee then came calling after Phillip Fulmer announced he would not return
for an 18th season in 2009, and Kiffin guided the Volunteers to a 7-6 record
and an appearance in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl this past year.
Kiffin will bring along key components from his staff at Tennessee, including
his father, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, and recruiting coordinator Ed
Orgeron.
The hire of Kiffin was made after a report earlier Tuesday that the Trojans
had made a contract offer to current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del
Rio. After Del Rio denied the report, Jags owner Wayne Weaver solidified Del
Rio's status in a press conference, saying that he would be the team's head
coach next season.