Coach Kiffin takes trip down memory lane at National Championship game
Alabama took care of Ohio State in the College Football Championship game, but another team was represented at Hard Rock Stadium – Ole Miss.
Rebel head coach Lane Kiffin was in attendance at the game where the Crimson Tide won its 18th national title by drubbing OSU, 52-24.
In the suite (from left to right) are: New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Tony Brown, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney, Detroit Lions linebacker Reggie Ragland, Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr., Miami Dolphins tackle Raekwon Davis, and Las Vegas Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs III.
Great to be with the guys!! They all said it’s now time to #ComeToTheSip But tonite #RTR!!! @OleMissFB @AlabamaFTBL SEC Rolls again!!! 🐐 I bet first TD @ohthatsNajee22 pic.twitter.com/RI02qAX35P
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) January 12, 2021
In contrast with the Buckeyes, Ole Miss scored 48 points against Alabama in October. This was the most scored against Alabama all year.
That would be Ole Miss with 48. 😘 https://t.co/KihKzdMO3K pic.twitter.com/CWb8BBxUme
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) January 12, 2021
Kiffin occupied the luxury suite as he watched some of his former players from Tuscaloosa reach college football’s summit. He served as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach from 2014-16.
Jennings played at Alabama from 2015-19. Brown played at Alabama from 2014-17. Jones played at Alabama from 2008-10. Diggs played at Alabama from 2016-19. McKinney played at Alabama from 2017-19. Ragland played at Alabama from 2012-15. Smith played at Alabama from 2017-18. Davis played at Alabama from 2016-19, and Ruggs played at Alabama from 2017-19.
The Miami area is not foreign to Kiffin. Prior to coming to Ole Miss, he was the head coach at Florida Atlantic from 2017-19. FAU is located in nearby Boca Raton.
During his time at Alabama, Kiffin developed such quarterbacks as Blake Sims, Jake Coker and true freshman Jalen Hurts who became a freshman All-American and led the Tide to the SEC championship and a berth in the national championship game.
He also mentored Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry in Tuscaloosa.
This Crimson Tide squad featured a few players who had been at Bama with Kiffin. But perhaps the next time Kiffin appears at a national championship game, it might be with a team of Ole Miss Rebels.
