I’m feeling better and better about Kiffin. He’s coached at big programs (not always successfully, but more so lately), coached with big-time coaches, and has surely matured and learned a lot along the way. His dad was a solid DC, has lived football from the beginning. He can recruit in the SEC, killed the portal (in a good way) this past offseason, and could work with Robby Ashford. I could be wrong, but I also believe Kiffin’s Ole Miss leads the SEC in rushing. Kiffin would have good offensive weapons at AU with an athletic QB and good running backs, and surely could attract more OL and WR talent.
Having worked with/for Saban and Smart, he would know their tricks and could recruit against them. Besides his play-calling ability, I think this is his biggest upside against our rivals. I think this would almost immediately put us in the same stratosphere coaching-wise as Bama/UGA, obviously not with titles, but coaching/play-calling ability and reputation. Then there’s the juicy details of these guys having played for the same team at the same time, and they would then (in the possible/theoretical future) now be coaching against one another…I think that means something.
What I dislike most about Kiffin is the fake injuries (last season). Also I’m a stats/data guy, but I think he needs more discernment with when to punt/kick/go for it, rather than blindly looking at a book. That cost him in some games last season, including the game against us, I believe.
RGIII just said the QB that reminds him the most of himself was Robby Ashford. Take an offseason of coaching for RA with Kiffin, plundering the portal, and establishing an offensive line, offense, and offensive identity with his system, and we could be back in the top 25, and maybe even top 10, in 1-2 seasons.
SEC experience? Check. Solid recruiter? Check, definitely in the portal. Big-time experience? Check (conference/natl title coaching for the bammers). We already lost out on Kirby from several years ago, we have the opportunity again now with Kiffin, I believe, and shouldn’t choke on this one.
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/auburn-football/which-qb-reminds-rgiii-of-himself-rgiii-has-a-surprising-sec-answer/
