Head Coaching Timeline
Before becoming the head coach at Ole Miss in December 2022, Lane Kiffin held three head coaching positions and several coordinated/offensive coordinator roles. His head-coaching stops included California (2017–2019), FAU (2011–2016), and USC (2010). Between head jobs, he worked as an offensive coordinator and play-caller with Tennessee and later joined the NFL. This overview lists his verified coaching stops in chronological order, covering college and NFL roles through the 2021 season, before he was hired at Ole Miss.
| Position | Team | Tenure | Role Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | University of California (California) | 2017–2019 | Head Coach |
| Head Coach | Florida Atlantic University (FAU) | 2011–2016 | Head Coach |
| Head Coach | University of Southern California (USC) | 2010 | Head Coach |
| Offensive Coordinator | University of Tennessee | 2014–2016 | Coordinator |
| Quarterbacks Coach & Playcaller | Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) | 2018–2021 | NFL Coordinator/Coach |
| Head Coach | Ole Miss | 2022–present | Head Coach |
Early Coaching Positions
Kiffin’s first full-time coaching job at the collegiate level came as a graduate assistant at Miami (FL) in 2000 under Butch Davis. He later joined Lane Kiffin father’s staff at Fresno State and then moved with his father to USC, where he served as a student assistant and later tight ends coach. These roles were foundational, giving him on-field experience and exposure before he took his first head coaching job at a BCS-conference program.
USC Head Coach (2010)
In 2010, Kiffin was hired as the head coach at USC, making him one of the youngest head coaches in modern college football. His tenure in Los Angeles lasted a single season, during which he led the Trojans to a 5–2 record (not vacated). Amid significant NCAA sanctions, compliance issues, and off-field distractions, he left USC after one year to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee under Derek Dooley.
Tennessee Offensive Coordinator (2011)
Kiffin joined Tennessee in 2011 as offensive coordinator and playcaller under head coach Derek Dooley. His stint in Knoxville lasted parts of two seasons and concluded amid a competitive program reset. After Tennessee declined in 2011 and 2012, new head coach Butch Jones moved toward a new offensive approach, and Kiffin exited to take the head coaching job at FAU in 2013.
FAU Head Coach and Program Builder (2011–2016)
At Florida Atlantic, Kiffin inherited a program transitioning to Conference USA and later the American Athletic Conference. Over six seasons, he compiled a 40–31 record, led FAU to its first bowl game in 2013, and built the program’s modern offensive identity. His time at FAU demonstrated his ability to develop quarterbacks and operate a spread-style offense, which became hallmarks of his later work at California and in the NFL.
California Head Coach and Return to College (2017–2019)
Kiffin returned to Power Five football as head coach at California from 2017 to 2019. In three seasons, he posted a 12–23 record while modernizing the offense and developing draft-capable quarterbacks. Though on-field results were mixed, his offensive schemes attracted attention and prepared him for coordinator roles in the NFL, where he would again work as a playcaller before returning to head coaching at Ole Miss.
NFL Experience (2018–2021)
From 2018 through 2021, Kiffin served as quarterbacks coach and de facto playcaller for the Raiders (then in Oakland, then Las Vegas). During this period, he worked under head coach Jon Gruden and later under Dennis Allen, designing game plans and overseeing quarterback development. The NFL stint added professional game-planning and in-game decision-making experience to the coaching résumé he brought to Ole Miss.
Summary Table: Pre-Ole Miss Coaching Roles
| Position | Team | Years | Notable Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | USC | 2010 | Youngest head coach; 5–2 record amid sanctions |
| Offensive Coordinator | Tennessee | 2011–2012 | Playcalled under Derek Dooley; offense reset under new coach |
| Head Coach | FAU | 2011–2016 | Built program; 40–31 record; first bowl in 2013 |
| Head Coach | California | 2017–2019 | Modernized offense; 12–23 record; QB development focus |
| QB Coach / Playcaller | Raiders (NFL) | 2018–2021 | Worked under Gruden; designed NFL game plans |
Why the Pre-Ole Miss Path Matters
Understanding where Kiffin coached before Ole Miss helps explain his scheme preferences, his tolerance for adversity, and his recruiting angles. His mix of rebuilding FAU, stabilizing California, and navigating the high-exposure USC environment created a broad base of experience. The NFL playcalling role further shaped his game management style. By the time he returned to head coaching at Ole Miss, he had shown he could operate at multiple levels and under different organizational expectations.
Relationship to Other Coaches and Programs
Kiffin’s path connects several programs and coaching trees. His time with his father, John Kiffin, linked him to Fresno State and USC early on. At Tennessee and FAU, he operated under different conference cultures. The Raiders stint put him in an NFL system before he returned to a Power Five head coaching role at Ole Miss, giving him a cross-league perspective that is frequently cited in contract and timeline discussions.
Status and Future Considerations
As of the latest available information, Kiffin remains the head coach at Ole Miss. His pre-Ole Miss résumé is complete and publicly documented. No confirmed moves or role changes are pending as of this writing.
Key identifiers: Lane Kiffin, head coach, Ole Miss, coaching career, previous jobs, USC, FAU, California, Tennessee, Raiders.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which program did Kiffin lead immediately before Ole Miss?
Immediately before Ole Miss, Kiffin was the quarterbacks coach and playcaller for the Las Vegas Raiders of the NFL (2018–2021). His most recent prior head coaching job was at the University of California (2017–2019).
Did Kiffin coach in the NFL before Ole Miss?
Yes. He spent four seasons in the NFL with the Raiders as quarterbacks coach and de facto playcaller before being hired at Ole Miss in December 2022.
Which college programs did Kiffin rebuild?
Kiffin rebuilt FAU into a consistent bowl-eligible program (2013–2016) and returned the California offense to relevance (2017–2019), modernizing the scheme and developing NFL-quality quarterbacks.
How did USC fit into his coaching timeline?
USC was Kiffin’s first head coaching job in 2010. After leaving, he served as offensive coordinator at Tennessee, then built FAU, then coached at California, then worked in the NFL before Ole Miss.
Is the NFL counted as coaching experience in his official biography?
Yes. Teams, years, and role titles including the NFL are standard items in coaching trees and official bios, and they are included here.