Lane Kiffin Mentioned For NFL Head Coaching Job

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 1:47 PM ET

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has seemingly been mentioned for every new college football job opening under the sun. But Colin Cowherd believes the time is right for him to take his talents to the NFL.

On Friday's edition of The Herd, Cowherd made the case that the Miami Dolphins should make hiring Kiffin their top priority in the upcoming offseason. He pointed out that Kiffin has been so good in college and has the mentality of what the modern NFL head coach needs to be that he's ready to take the next step.

"You know what Miami's gotta do next? Go hire Lane Kiffin!" Cowherd declared.

"You know what Miami's gotta do next? Go hire Lane Kiffin!"@colincowherd thinks the Dolphins rebuild needs to start with hiring Kiffin away from Ole Miss pic.twitter.com/gjGR18UnQS
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 31, 2025

"Why?"

The singular question being asked of Cowherd in response to the suggestion is "why" Kiffin would want to do something like that. Lest we forget, Kiffin has already been an NFL head coach and it did not go well. His run with the Oakland Raiders from 2007 to 2008 was apparently so bad that he hasn't even joined an NFL team for a minor role in the decades since his firing.

Fans in the comments were quick to point that out:

"Lane Kiffin is a better college coach than an NFL coach. He already went down that road," one user remarked.

"Why would lane go back to the NFL?" another asked.

"Really… Lane Kiffin? The man who went 5-15 with the Raiders and was fired midway through the 2008 season? That Lane Kiffin?" a third pointed out.

Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Granted, there have been a couple of instances where a coach goes to the NFL, then goes back to college and then returns to the NFL and is much better at it. Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh are by far the most noteworthy examples.

But for every Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh there's a Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Matt Rhule and Chip Kelly. Not every coach who dominates in college is great for the NFL and not every coach who dominates in the NFL is the right fit for college (as the UNC Tar Heels are learning the hard way).

Should Kiffin consider a return to the NFL, or should he stick with what he's been good at?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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