I can’t believe I am saying this, but was Al Davis right all along? When Davis fired Kiffin after only a year and a half it just confirmed the obvious; the Oakland Raiders were still one of the worst run franchises in professional sports. Many critics felt that Davis rushed to a decision after only giving Kiffin twenty games to prove himself. Only a year and a half later, it looks as if Davis was right all along. Of course, no one in Southern California wants to hear about any of that. Honestly though, how does Lane Kiffin keep getting work?

While Kiffin’s departure from Oakland could have raised a few red flags, he was working with an egomaniacal, inept owner. In this particular situation, Kiffin was seen as the victim. Kiffin’s move to Tennessee enabled him to do two things a) put all the Al Davis drama behind him, and b) live up to the promise that made him the younger coach in the NFL. Of course, neither situation materialized. Kiffin came under a lot of criticism at Tennessee for accusing other prominent college coaches of recruiting violations. Meanwhile, Kiffin repeatedly violated certain NCAA regulations. After only one season at Tennessee, it was announced that Kiffin would take the recently vacated head coaching position at USC.

It’s tough to see exactly what Kiffin brings to USC. While he has been praised for his recruiting abilities, those same abilities have put him under fire from the NCAA. Also remember, USC isn’t really in a position to be hiring someone with a track record of recruiting violations. While Kiffin is already building a tremendous staff (with Norm Chow running his offense, and Monte Kiffin coming to coach his defense), it’s telling that his overall record as a head coach is 12-21. This is a guy who hasn’t succeeded as a head coach at any level, yet still was hired to coach one of the most prestigious programs in college football. I cannot understand how people can write articles condemning successful college coaches from making the leap to the NFL, while others continue to defend a coach who has failed at both levels. Then again, maybe Lane Kiffin finally lives up to his promise as a head coach. Perhaps his ability as a recruiter, combined with the popularity of his new school will allow him to build an extremely dominant college team. As I mentioned previously, he is working with some great assistants…which should make things easier. However, if Kiffin finally tastes success, can anyone guarantee that he will stay at USC long enough to build a dynasty?

This gets me to a much bigger point about college football (or college sports in general) ; the coaches have no integrity. Are coaches really looking out for their teams, or for themselves? For every Joe Paterno, there are five other college coaches that will leave their programs at the first sign of more money or prestige. When it comes to college coaches, two stories stick out in my mind.

When I read The Blind Side, by Michael Lewis, one of the most telling passages involved Nick Saban. Saban had come to recruit Michael Oher to play at LSU. Saban, known as an excellent recruiter, sounded eerily similar to a used car salesman as he tried to lure Oher to LSU. At the end of the presentation, Oher asked Saban if he would stay at LSU throughout Oher’s playing career. Saban, who was being courted by the Miami Dolphins, lied through his teeth. Only a few months later, Saban would leave LSU.

When I was at Marquette, Tom Crean’s departure to Indiana was one of the biggest stories on campus. Working for the television station, all of us scrambled to find out what the hell happened. Some of the things we discovered were not consistent with the family oriented and ethical teachings that Tom Crean preached at Marquette. For example, Crean told absolutely no one about his move to Indiana. His players weren’t aware of the move and neither were some members of the Athletic Department. A friend of mine (and a member at the television station) actually broke the news of Crean’s departure to some of the members of the Athletic Department. Does that sound like a person that lives by his ethical and family oriented teachings?

Both situations proved to me that most college coaches are looking out for only themselves. People like Crean and Saban might preach ethics and moral values, and might be great recruiters; but that doesn’t make them loyal. Kiffin falls into the same category. So, USC fans, enjoy Kiffin while it lasts. I can’t promise he will be particularly good; but at least it will be an interesting (albeit likely a short lived) ride.