TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Alabama named former USC head coach Lane Kiffin as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Kiffin was fired by the Trojans in mid-season after USC got off to a rocky start; however, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Kiffin had the credentials and teaching skills to be "an outstanding and creative offensive coach."
"He has a very good understanding of the game and I have always been impressed with what I saw in the games he called," Saban said in a written statement Friday "He coaches with a great deal of passion and enthusiasm, and also does an excellent job as a teacher."
Kiffin compiled a 35-21 record in four-plus seasons at USC. He was the offensive coordinator at the school under Pete Carroll and has head coaching experience at Tennessee and with the Oakland Raiders.
Kiffin replaced Doug Nussmeier, who stepped down to become offensive coordinator at Michigan earlier this week.
