Lane Kiffin has been on the move for much of his football coaching career.
Not this time.
Alabama's offensive coordinator announced Saturday that he will return for a second season on Nick Saban's staff. Kiffin said he was "definitely" coming back before the Crimson Tide's season-ending loss in the Sugar Bowl, but he was linked last Sunday to the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator vacancy by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"This time of year, there are lots of things out there regarding other coaching opportunities," Kiffin said through a release, "but I want to reaffirm my commitment to the University of Alabama, Coach Saban and our team. I'm excited about what our offensive staff was able to accomplish last year, but I also think there are a lot of things we can do a better job of in terms of putting our players in the best situation to have success."
Alabama set a program record by averaging 484.5 yards a game, and fifth-year senior quarterback Blake Sims established a school standard with 3,487 passing yards in his first season as the starter. Junior receiver Amari Cooper set a Southeastern Conference record for catches in a season with 124 and a school mark for yards with 1,727.
Kiffin was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
"We've very pleased and happy that Lane is going to be staying here," Saban said. "He's done a fabulous job and is one of the finest offensive coaches in the country. He is going to have plenty of opportunities in the future, and we want to continue to help him develop as a coach, so when he leaves here he'll be in a very good situation."
Kiffin, 39, spent one season as Tennessee's head coach in 2009 and one full season as head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2007 before getting fired early in his second year. He made $680,000 this past season and is scheduled to make the same this year, but Saturday's announcement did not include any financial adjustment.
"After being here for a year, I can see why this is such a special place in terms of the history, tradition and how much football means to everyone at Alabama," Kiffin said. "I also have learned so much in the time I've spent with Coach Saban and really have a better understanding of what makes him the great coach that he is. I think the more time I can spend learning from him, the better coach I will be in the future."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.