Why did Lane Kiffin leave Tennessee? Exploring Ole Miss HC's decision to leave the Vols

Coaching rumors are always swirling, and Lane Kiffin has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. In 2009, Kiffin became the youngest coach in Division I FBS when he took over the Tennessee Volunteers.

However, his time in Knoxville was short-lived. After just one season and a 7-6 record, Kiffin left Tennessee abruptly in January 2010 to take the coaching job at the University of Southern California.

Lane Kiffin's sudden departure from Tennessee was chaotic

Late on Jan. 12, 2010, Kiffin called a last-minute news conference to announce his exit. His departure sparked outrage among students, some of whom even set a mattress on fire in the streets.

"This was not an easy decision, this was something that happened very quick, a decision that myself and my family made," Kiffin told the crowd [H/t 10 News]. "I really believe that this is probably the only place I would have left here to go, to go to Southern Cal."

Despite the drama, Kiffin doesn't regret his decision to leave. He reflected on the move, saying that he was misled about the severity of USC's NCAA issues. According to Kiffin, he was assured that the Reggie Bush situation was minor and that any punishment would be light.

"We didn't know what was going to happen," Kiffin said [H/t Clarion Ladger]. "We went (to USC) being told by the powers there that this Reggie Bush situation, there was nothing to it. Worst-case scenario it was a slap on the wrist.”

“Then all of the sudden we go there, put a staff together and start recruiting, and we get 30 scholarships reduced and a two-year bowl ban.”

In a Jan. 12, 2010, photograph, students burn Lane Kiffin t-shirts after Kiffin announced his resignation as coach of the University of Tennessee football team. - Source: Imagn

The sanctions made it tough for Kiffin to keep the team together, especially since juniors and seniors were allowed to transfer without penalty. Despite these challenges, USC still managed to sign the No. 1 recruiting class that year.

Kiffin believes his time at USC would have played out differently without those NCAA penalties.

Lane Kiffin had ups and downs

After a solid 7-6 season that ended with a 37-14 loss to Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Kiffin announced his decision to leave the Vols to become USC head coach. He had worked in various roles on the coaching staff at USC between 2001 and 2008 — including wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator.

Kiffin's time at USC wasn't as short-lived as his Knoxville stint, but it had its ups and downs. He started strong, leading the Trojans to 8-5 and 10-2 records in his first two seasons. Expectations soared in Year 3 when USC entered the season ranked No. 1, but it couldn't live up to the hype, finishing 7-6. Midway through the next season, Kiffin was let go.

After USC, Kiffin served as Alabama's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2014 to 2016, then led Florida Atlantic from 2017 to 2019.

On Dec. 9, 2019, Kiffin took on a new challenge, becoming the 39th head football coach for the Ole Miss Rebels.