USC expects Alabama to run a familiar offense. Trojans offensive coordinator Tee Martin, in an interview with a radio station in Mobile, Ala., last week, said Kiffin took USCs offense and installed it at Alabama. The appeal is clear. Hampered by sanctions and prone to unflattering utterances, Kiffins tenure at USC was rocky. But his offensive mind was never in question.
Its like a gift, USC running back Justin Davis said. He sees so much stuff that the average eye doesnt see.
Special teams coach John Baxter said Kiffin sees the game in slow motion.
Baxter is one of five USC coaches to serve on Kiffins staff. None expressed any animosity. Kiffin, most said, treated them well.
I dont know how hes become the villain of all of college football, Baxter said.
Alabama tightly restricts its assistant coaches media availability, but before the playoff last season, Kiffin explained why his first three head coaching stints fizzled, despite his aptitude for the game.
"When you become a head coach so early, so young and so fast, you don't really know why you're doing things," he said.
For the 19 current Trojans who played for Kiffin, the relationship is more complicated. His tenure marked the beginning of a volatile stretch that spanned most of their time at USC.
Offensive lineman Zach Banner said he hadnt thought much about Kiffin coaching at Alabama. He said he wished Kiffin well.
But, when asked if he took anything positive from Kiffins time at USC, his reply was curt.
"He had good visors, Banner said, then walked away, ending the interview.
