USC O-Coordinator Lane Kiffin named Raider Coach

[Toro]

After failing to land Southern California assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Oakland Raiders and Lane Kiffin have completed the deal to hire the USC offensive coordinator as Oakland's head coach.

Kiffin signed the five-year deal to be Art Shell's replacement on Monday night, and a press conference to announce the signing is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Oakland (4 p.m. ET) on Tuesday.

Late last week, Kiffin was offered the offensive coordinator job under Sarkisian. But Sarkisian turned down Oakland's offer, and the Raiders were left scrambling.

On Sunday, Raiders owner Al Davis reached out again to Kiffin, son of Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Kiffin flew to Oakland Sunday night and spent all day Monday talking to Davis. As the evening approached, negotiations for a contract started and concluded quickly.

The 31-year-old Kiffin has been a six-year member of Pete Carroll's staff. Carroll hired him to coach tight ends in 2001. Kiffin switched to coaching wide receivers in 2002. In 2004, Kiffin took over passing game coordinator duties. Kiffin was then promoted to offensive coordinator in 2005. He also had recruiting coordinator responsibilities.

Davis has a long history of hiring young, offensive-minded head coaches and he particularly likes offensive play-callers. Kiffin has done that at the highest level of college football for the past few years. He's worked with top NFL draft prospects such as wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett and former Lions first-round pick Mike Williams, another wideout.

Kiffin spent the 2000 season in Jacksonville as a defensive quality control coach working with defensive backs.

As a player, Kiffin was a quarterback for Fresno State from 1994 to 1996. He was a three-sport high school star in Bloomington, Minn. He started his coaching career after college working as a grad assistant at Fresno State.

Kiffin is expected to keep Rob Ryan as his defensive coordinator.

From ESPN.com

Funny, the USC fans I know wanted Kiffin gone anyhow.. The Raiders sure know how to pick 'em eh?

[Titan "Tack" Fan]

He's 31 years old. That's absolutely ridiculous.

[gwallaia]

Damn 31 is young. Who is the youngest coach ever in the NFL?

[Toro]

Originally Posted by Titan "Tack" Fan

He's 31 years old. That's absolutely ridiculous.

Yeah, and sadly that's all Old Man Al wants-- someone young enough to be considered a "Yes" man. Someone who wasn't even mentioned for any of the COLLEGE vacancies, let alone the NFL ones.

I could be wrong here, but I see this ending badly.. Very badly.

[dtran04]

And people are hating on Lil Shanahan.

[Toro]

Originally Posted by gwallaia

Damn 31 is young. Who is the youngest coach ever in the NFL?

I'm pretty sure he has that distinction. I think Gruden was 34 when the Raiders hired him.

Also, it must be noted-- Kiffin is considered in USC circles the FOURTH best coach on the roster, behind Sarkisian, Carroll and Nick Holt.. Oh, and did I also mention, most of my Southern Cal friends wanted this guy fired?

Looks like the AFC West has last place locked up for awhile.

[TexanSam]

He can say goodbye to his career. The Raiders are turning into a complete joke of an organization. You can say what you want about the Texans with Casserly and Capers or the Detroit Lions with Matt Millen and whoever the heck is there coach in a given season, but at least it seems they are attempting to run the organization the right way. Al Davis is just a completely looney. He doesn't give much, if any power to his head coach. He thinks he still knows what he's talking about. Al Davis needs to retire. He's 77 years old! He should be sitting back in Florida wearing Depends not in a draft war room!

[powerfuldragon]

everyone else said no. if he turns the raiders into a + .500 team, he'll be a legend.

[Toro]

Originally Posted by PowerfulDragon

everyone else said no. if he turns the raiders into a + .500 team, he'll be a legend.

.500 hell.. If he gets the Raiders to 6-10, you better build a statue in downtown Oakland for the guy.

Here's a stupid question for you all.. Rob Ryan did a HELL of a job with that defense.. Why not consider one of your own, and reward a guy for working with a less than star studded defense?

[TexanSam]

Originally Posted by Toro

.500 hell.. If he gets the Raiders to 6-10, you better build a statue in downtown Oakland for the guy.

Here's a stupid question for you all.. Rob Ryan did a HELL of a job with that defense.. Why not consider one of your own, and reward a guy for working with a less than star studded defense?

Because Al Davis likes offensive minded guys. And because he's Al Davis. I'm surprised he didn't decide to coach the team himself.

[YoungTexanFan]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Because Al Davis likes offensive minded guys. And because he's Al Davis. I'm surprised he didn't decide to coach the team himself.

That's what I thought was going to happen sooner or later.

This is stupid. This guy has no HC experience, and very little coaching experience period.

[TexanSam]

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

That's what I thought was going to happen sooner or later.

This is stupid. This guy has no HC experience, and very little coaching experience period.

I don't blame Calvin Johnson for saying he wouldn't want to play for the Raiders if that story is true. Not the way Al Davis is. Davis makes Jerry Jones look like a good owner.

[Toro]

Originally Posted by YoungTexanFan

That's what I thought was going to happen sooner or later.

This is stupid. This guy has no HC experience, and very little coaching experience period.

USC fans wanted Kiffin FIRED.

Not like the Trojans were burning down the hatches tonight to keep the guy in town.

I know Al likes his offensive minded guys, and being pretty much anyone with a pulse was turning this job down like it's the bubonic plague, he had to settle for whatever he could get, but need I mention this hiring is suspect at best?

[TexanSam]

Originally Posted by Toro

USC fans wanted Kiffin FIRED.

Is there a reason for that? I didn't know he was disliked.

[powerfuldragon]

did the fact that he's monte kiffin's kid give him bonus points?

[Toro]

Originally Posted by TexanSam

Is there a reason for that? I didn't know he was disliked.

They thought he was too conservative, and that he was more or less a figurehead manning the position, whereas Pete Carroll made most of the calls anyhow.

[tulexan]

I feel bad for Raiders fans. Even they deserve better than this.

On the plus side, the Texans are no longer the laughing stock of the NFL, and won't be unless they make Kyle Shanahan head coach next year.

[TexansSeminole]

Give the guy a chance. Even though it's an odd acquisition.

[tulexan]

As Tim Duncan would say...

Al Davis is retarded.

[mexican_texan]

I think Al Davis has been coaching the team himself for many years...