SECMD26: Softer, gentler Kiffin arrives to Media Days with different approach as new LSU coach
Members of the media saw a different side of Lane Kiffin at SEC Kickoff on Thursday. (Courtesy Southeastern Conference)
By GRAHAM DUNN
TAMPA - It seems as though an address change has caused a subtle transformation in the personality of Lane Kiffin.
As he spoke to the members of the press on Thursday, the new head football coach at Ole Miss seemed solemn, contemplative, somber, maybe somewhat introspective.
In the words of former Auburn coach and now member of the panel at the SEC Network, Gene Chizik, Kiffin has “grown up.”
Apparently, after the urging of his kids, Kiffin gave up social media - no more saucy comments.
Others noticed the change, including fellow coaches.
“He's always gonna try to think outside the box to find a unique way to accomplish something,” stated Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. “I expect him to continue to do that at LSU. Now he's got more resources... I'm very proud of Lane. I know he's made a lot of changes personally.”
Kiffin admitted he’s taken a different approach, part of it due to losing his parents in the last couple of years. Part of it came from watching a childhood hero pass away.
His children, now much older, keep him straight on issues. And he’s become a big fan of the “process” learned from Nick Saban.
“I made a decision that I changed jobs, and as I get older and I go through things and losing both parents,” he said. “I was actually talking to (sportswriter) Ross Dellenger, and I kind of said something that might sound kind of funny to you, but, you know, I watched the Hulk Hogan special. I realized something. I was, like: We're all going to die. And so some of the things that we put importance on, we worry about, and what this person says and that, really aren’t going to matter.
“When I lost my dad I started thinking that. I really started thinking, when I grew up there were two people that I thought just wouldn't die... my dad and Hulk Hogan. Then I watched that special, and Hulk Hogan died too. Like, there was no way that Hulk Hogan was ever going to not wrestle and die, and he did.”
Kiffin, known for controversial, if not colorful, stirring, made what some would call an earth-shattering move from Ole Miss to LSU right after the season ended, despite the Rebels making the playoffs.
His leaving prior to the postseason caught several off guard but on Thursday, he did his best to explain.
“You do things, and you make really good decisions, and you make poor decisions,” Kiffin said.
“That was a poor usage of a term that I believe, just like many coaches that have been there before, was factual, but over the course of a long interview, was bad timing and bad usage of the word. Somebody said it the other day... They were like ‘he's been (at LSU) six months and he's had more 5-star signees and commits than he did in the previous 6 years combined.’ That's kinda proof to me of the decision."
The question becomes - will the new Lane Kiffin lead LSU to a national title?
“It's been exciting to do that and to rebuild within a program a roster and to come in and come off of a 7-6 season and then the expectations that everybody in the media has that we're supposed to be this great team right away,” he said. “That’s an awesome challenge. You want to talk about getting uncomfortable. That does it. Expectations make you uncomfortable. They make you not be able to just go through motions in any aspect of your program. So that's been awesome.”