Lane Kiffin Makes Nick Saban Admission

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Harris | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 1:42 PM ET

Lane Kiffin and Nick Saban have been rivals and competitive with each other since they've both been coaching. They had a three year stint together with the Alabama Crimson Tide, where Kiffin served as Saban's offnsive coordinator from 2014-2016.

The split in 2016 was rough, which led to Kiffin coaching Florida Atlantic for three years before eventually landing at SEC rival of Alabama, Ole Miss.

Throughout the years of them coaching together, the friction was always glaring, and Kiffin was asked about it on comedian Theo Von's podcast This Past Weekend.

"There was friction initially. I looked back, it was all my fault. I'm the assistant. He's the head coach. Whatever he says, goes," said Kiffin.

He continues on to talk about the coaching style of Saban. Mentioning that the way Saban coached was set in stone, and there wasn't any sort of discussions with him that could change things.

Kiffin worked under Pete Carroll prior to Saban, and was shocked at the difference between the two legendary head coaches.

"It's just totally different. You come in, you have an open conversation," speaking on how Carroll's style of coaching was different than Saban's.

While the rivalry and competitiveness between the two will always stay, Kiffin acknowledges Saban's greatness, saying that he is the greatest coach in college football's history.

Theo Von's podcast always finds a way to bring out the truth in a lot of situations, and the open conversation he brings allows for people to truly be themselves.

Seeing him do podcasts with Kiffin and many others that discuss their faults or situations make him one of the best in the business, and always a source of media to keep an eye on.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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