There's a reason the Alabama Crimson Tide are heading into the National Championship game against Clemson without offensive coordinator and instead Steve Sarkisian.
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During an ESPN interview as the news broke, Saban detailed problems leading up the team's Peach Bowl game against Washington (per Business Insider):
"I think the way we went about the last game, whether it was the preparation, the practice, being able to focus on what we need to do, for our team, relative to the distractions that occur when you are trying to hire a staff [at FAU], and recruit at another place, and all these types of things," Saban said. "Hey, Lane did the best he could. It's a difficult circumstance. We certainly wish him well. We both had a meeting [Sunday] and again this morning, that we thought this would be in the best interest and mutually agreed for both parties to move on."
ESPN's Brett McMurphy shared more details on Kiffin's departure, and it's not pretty.
Late to meetings, getting left behind at media day, public “ass-chewing” comments contributed to Lane Kiffin’s exit, sources told @ESPN
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 2, 2017
Saban seems grateful for everything Kiffin did at Alabama, but with the stakes this high, Alabama can't afford to have a coach with one foot out the door.
