Lane Kiffin Calls Out Big 12, SEC for Lack of Diversity in Coaches
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin made headlines this week after calling out both the SEC and the Big 12 for lacking diversity among head coaches.
Kiffin responded to a question on Twitter about assigning Ole Miss wide receivers coach Derrick Nix head coaching duties in the Rebels recent scrimmage, which prompted Kiffin to mention his thoughts on the situation.
“Zero minority coaches combined,” Kiffin said. “I’m just saying what my dad used to remind of all the time on this subject and what a problem it was. It’s 2023 and we have gone backwards from when he would point it out to me and reference great coaches like Tony Dungy, Mike Tomlin, and Lovie Smith, that I grew up idolizing.”
While Kiffin’s broader point of diversity at the head coaching ranks may be a conversation worth having, his tweet was factually inaccurate. BYU’s Kalani Sitake, Baylor’s Dave Aranda, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, and Mississippi State’s Zach Arnett all quality as coaches with “diverse” backgrounds.
With new head coaching jobs opening each and every day across college football, more coaches are finding opportunities at the Division 1 level than ever before. While Kiffin’s quick rant on social media was interesting to follow, the lack of accuracy on the topic makes him look foolish, despite his decent intentions.
