Update: ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit reported Saturday morning on "College GameDay" that Kiffin had a deal in place with an unidentified school but that talks ultimately broke down. Herbstreit would not reval the school, which was widely reported Friday as Florida Atlantic, nor the reason talks broke down.
Original story
With the Houston job now filled and South Florida reportedly zeroing in on Charlie Strong, the options for Lane Kiffin are narrowing if he hopes to return to being a head coach and depart as Alabama's offensive coordinator following the College Football Playoff.
LSU and new coach Ed Orgeron reportedly have interest in bringing Kiffin on as the Tigers' offensive coordinator, but there is another school pursuing Kiffin for a head coaching job and that is Florida Atlantic.
The Associated Press, citing sources, reports FAU and Kiffin "have had dialogue," with writer Tim Reynolds also tweeting that the Owls are actively in pursuit of Kiffin. FootballScoop.com previously reported that FAU and Kiffin were talking.
Should Kiffin wind up taking the job, it would be the fourth time he's been placed in charge of leading a program after flaming out with the Oakland Raiders (2007-08), leaving Tennessee following just one season (2009) and being fired by USC (2010-13). He has served as the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator since 2014 and seen great success with Alabama now looking to win its second straight national title.
As to why Kiffin might take the FAU job and coach in Conference USA when it looked like he was headed to the AAC, the explanation is rather simple. He was passed over for Houston (the Cougars promoted offensive coordinator Major Applewhite on Friday) and USF is understandably interested in a veteran coach in Strong with solid in-state recruiting ties and a proven record of success at a similar program in Louisville.
Furthermore, Kiffin appears ready to return to leading a team, which he did for seven consecutive years prior to joining Alabama.
Anyone deciding to hire Kiffin has numerous questions to ask and plenty of information to consider. Chief among them is whether Kiffin would have the commitment to remain at the program for at least a short period of time considering how quickly he left the Vols for the Trojans a few years ago. Would Kiffin jump after some success if an AAC team or lower-level Power Five program came calling after a year, or would he actually stay for 2-3 seasons?
Whether he will get that opportunity in the first place remains to be seen, but as of now, it looks like the Owls are his best shot if he hopes to take over a program this offseason.
