Explosive new claims from a forthcoming book allege that former Alabama football coach Nick Saban instructed staff to prevent offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin from interacting with college students.
A book titled 'Lane Being Lane' by John Talty suggests that Kiffin, who coached under Saban from 2014 to 2016, engaged in behavior that prompted Saban to issue directives to keep him away from "sorority girls" and to ensure any women he approached "have graduated college or are working a job."
The report, published by Vanity Fair, details Kiffin's nightlife in Tuscaloosa during a period when his wife and children remained in California. According to the book, Kiffin would frequent local bars, reportedly asking staff where "hotties" were and if they could introduce him.
It is also alleged that Kiffin used the alias "Joey Freshwater" in an attempt to conceal his identity, though Kiffin himself has denied using this specific alias in a 2017 interview, stating he had used "Jimmy Chestnut" instead.
Concerns about Kiffin's conduct extended to fears of excessive drinking. A friend quoted in the book expressed worries that Kiffin might "drink himself to death," recounting instances of him being deeply distressed and engaging in "shit that's like 'you got to put your d*** back in your pants.'"
The book further contends that Kiffin's behavior during his tenure at Alabama impacted his prospects of succeeding Saban. Bartenders and former coaches reportedly noted that Kiffin's actions could have become more public, and his perceived lack of focus and conduct contributed to him not being considered a strong candidate for subsequent head coaching positions.
Kiffin's relationship with Saban reportedly soured during Alabama's 2016-2017 national championship run. Veteran offensive players allegedly raised concerns with Saban about Kiffin's focus. Days before the national championship game, Saban is quoted in the book as saying, "I’m firing the cocksucker."
Kiffin, now the head coach at LSU following a $91 million contract signing, has spoken publicly about his past struggles with alcohol and his journey to sobriety. He admitted in May that his drinking contributed to his 2016 divorce from his wife, Layla, and hampered his career. Kiffin has stated he quit drinking in 2021 and has since embraced yoga and journaling as part of his recovery.
He marked five years of sobriety in January, sharing a message of encouragement on social media. Kiffin's tenure at Alabama followed previous head coaching roles at USC and Tennessee, and his time with the Oakland Raiders.
