He left his brash reputation and bold proclamations in Knoxville. Instead, Kiffin preferred a reserved and understated approach to rebuilding the Trojans in two short years from the heavy-handed NCAA sanctions.
While the Pete Carroll era was drenched in glory, the team Kiffin inherited was coming off a mediocre 2009 campaign by USC standards, so instant impact recruits were a necessity. Flanked by an all-star staff, Kiffin has replenished the depth charts with Freshman All-American talents and molded the best of the experienced players into leaders of the revival.
With a 10-2 season in the rear-view and the highest possible expectations on tap for 2012, Kiffin sat down with the Sporting News to share his thoughts on the lessons of the past and the hopes of the future.
Click here for the full story.
Kiffin received one first place vote for AP national coach of the year.
(Photo by Jon SooHoo)
