Nick Saban Has 'Nothing But Respect' For Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin

Alabama head coach Nick Saban gives high praise to his former offensive coordinator and Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin

There are headlines leading around the highly anticipated conference game between two former coaching associates who won a national championship together back in 2015. 

Alabama head coach Nick Saban remembers Lane Kiffin’s time with the Crimson Tide, praising his former offensive coordinator and current head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. Kiffin spent three years under Saban at Alabama between 2014-2016 before he took the head coaching position at Florida Atlantic University. 

During his time in Tuscaloosa, Saban commends Kiffin for what he did for the Tide.

“Lane did a fantastic job here,” Saban said. He also applauded Kiffin for helping revamp the Crimson Tide offensively. “We kind of went from old school ball to modern day ball I want to call it, in terms of doing some things with RPOs and advantage throws and really sort of set us off for the future of what we do on offense and what we’ve been able to do on offense.”

It is one thing for coaches to commend each other, but coming from the greatest coach in college football are accolades not everyone can add to their resume. Kiffin will be on the other sideline of Saban, but it looks like Alabama could use him on their side after struggling in Weeks 2 and 3 offensively.

The Ole Miss Rebels are the No. 4 scoring offense in the country and rank No. 2 in the SEC in yards per game with 526.7.

“I have nothing but respect for Lane and the kind of coach he is,” Saban said. “They’re doing a great job at Ole Miss. I mean they’re one of the best offensive teams in the country in terms of yards, production, problems created by what they do.”

The Rebels and the Crimson Tide are set to open up conference play this Saturday at 2:30 p.m CT on CBS.