Why did Alabama fire Lane Kiffin? A look back at the turbulent history between Nick Saban and the Ole Miss coach

Following Nick Saban's exit as head coach of Alabama, Lane Kiffin is in the pipeline to be considered to fill Saban's shoes. But there is a fascinating history of success and challenges in Saban's prior collaboration with Lane­ Kiffin.

Kiffin, serving as the offensive­ coordinator for the Crimson Tide, played a main part in their thre­e-season run to the Colle­ge Football Playoff, ultimately leading to a national championship.

Afte­r being let go by the Oakland Raide­rs and USC, Kiffin's winding career path led him to join force­s with Saban, a notable point in his journey.

The odd couple managed to coexist for three seasons, reaching the College Football Playoff three times and winning a national title in 2015.

However, their odd coupling finally came to an abrupt end a week before the 2017 CFP National Championship Game against Clemson.

Why did Alabama fire Lane Kiffin?

The abrupt parting of ways between Alabama and Lane Kiffin, just a week before a National Championship game, left many fans and pundits puzzled. Despite the mutual agreement narrative, it's clear the decision had its roots in a growing unease.

Saban's concern about Kiffin's commitment to the team surfaced, with worries that Kiffin's focus had shifted toward building his coaching staff at Florida Atlantic, where he had recently accepted a head coaching position.

In the weeks leading up to the College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington, Kiffin's late arrival at a staff meeting and the distraction caused by his coaching staff interviews heightened tensions.

Saban, known for his meticulous approach and dedication to the game, seemingly felt that the potential for disruptions outweighed Kiffin's contributions.

The performance of Alabama's offense in the Peach Bowl victory over Washington, coupled with Kiffin's controversial comments to Sports Illustrated, acted as catalysts for the much-speculated split.

"I make [about] 9 percent and I'm living in Tuscaloosa. This will come across wrong. But it's like dog years. Three years is like 21," Kiffin told SI.

As Saban stated,

"At the end of the day, both of us wanted to put our players in the best position to be successful."

The de­cision to make Steve Sarkisian the­ offensive coordinator for the National Championship game­ added emphasis. It showed the­ immediate nee­d and maybe questioned Kiffin's ability to stay on task.

Lane Kiffin's journey post-Alabama

As Lane Kiffin embarked on a new chapter at Ole Miss, the echoes of his tumultuous history with Saban linger. The Rebels have become a competitive force under Kiffin's guidance, with a notable 11-2 campaign and a Peach Bowl victory.

In a recent assessment, college football analyst Andy Staples questioned whether Lane Kiffin's ideal coaching environment might indeed be in Oxford.

The lower pressure and expectations at Ole Miss provide Kiffin with a platform to thrive without the intense scrutiny that comes with being the head coach of the Crimson Tide.