Lane Kiffin Fired In Sudden, Theatrical Fashion

By Josh Helmuth

A melodramatic ending came crashing down following one of the most tumultuous moments in USC football history Saturday night. Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin was fired following his team’s loss to ASU 62-41 — tying the mark for the most points ever given up by a USC football team. However, it was the way Kiffin was fired that is jaw dropping.

Reports immediately surfaced over night that the decision to fire Kiffin came during a 28-0 third quarter run by the Sun Devils. AD Pat Haden and USC administrators then acted hastily by pulling the coach off the team bus after arriving at LAX in order to fire him, essentially telling him to find another ride home in the middle of the night. Kiffin never saw it coming.

Scott Wolf of the LA Daily News has been all over the story:

Now of course one could argue that when one is fired they never “see it coming.” However, this guy got pulled off his own team bus, around his own players, in the middle of the night, and was then forced to find another ride home. Sounds like something straight right out of Hollywood — because it is. No doubt this moment will carry on into legendary proportions.

Haden is known around town as a reputable man — a stand-up guy. It sounds like Kiffin’s ego got the best of him and he pissed off a lot of people on and off the field, Haden included.

The Trojans are last in nearly every major offensive category following the week five loss to the Sun Devils. Star wideout Marqise Lee — who one could argue is the most talented wide receiver in college football — was also lost Saturday night with a sever knee injury. USC assistant head coach (and former Ole Miss head coach) Ed Orgeron will take over as interim head coach.

Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on @JHelmuth or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Icon

Josh Helmuth
Josh Helmuth

Josh is originally from the small berg of Arthur, Ill, proudly the Amish capital of the state. It also has one hell of a pumpkin patch.

Josh has enjoyed dipping his toes into a variety of careers since graduating from the University of Alabama, the most rewarding thus far having served as a youth director in southern California for four years, and his broadcasting career which has garnered two Emmy awards and three Edward R. Murrow Awards.  

Josh enjoys loud rock music, Tom Hanks movies, dogs that like to cuddle and long runs. He is also always in search for America's greatest cheeseburger. Follow him here if you would like to be friends!

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