Monte Kiffin, Lane Kiffin

(USCTrojans.com)

Lane Kiffin and father Monte Kiffin both had laptops in front of them, an informal film session inside the elder Kiffin's Tampa home this summer.

Father and son watched offensive game film from multiple Alabama games last season, including the Tide's Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State. The two coaches shared observations, asked each other questions and just "talked ball," Monte said.

Their conversations during Lane's 10-day visit to Tampa ranged from football to fishing to Lane's children.

What never came up -- and rarely does, Monte said -- is what lies ahead for his son beyond Alabama after collectively unsuccessful head coaching stints with the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee and USC.

"He doesn't talk about it a whole lot," Monte Kiffin, the respected longtime NFL coach and defensive coordinator, told AL.com during a phone interview. "He just wants to take it one year at a time, and that's what you should do."

Lane Kiffin is entering his second season as Alabama's offensive coordinator after being hired last January.

Multiple teams reached out to Kiffin regarding coaching opportunities following last season, Monte said. He wasn't interested.

Kiffin's focus is solely on Alabama, his father said.

"I can tell you for sure he's not thinking about the next head job," Monte said. "He's gotten some interest, but I don't think Lane was all excited about going because he wants to get his feet on the ground again."

'It's turned out to be a good fit'

Kiffin's union with the Tide has been beneficial for both sides.

In his first season as Alabama's offensive coordinator, Kiffin helped the team rank third in the SEC in total and scoring offense while proving instrumental in the development of first-year starting quarterback Blake Sims.

Under the guidance of Kiffin, Sims threw for 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions while leading the team to an SEC championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff after an underwhelming spring.

For the now 40-year old Kiffin, this is a chance to rebuild the reputation that was so strong when he was considered one of the rising stars in coaching less than 10 years ago as an assistant coach, passing game coordinator and co-offensive coordinator during the Matt Leinart/Reggie Bush era at USC.

Working under Alabama coach Nick Saban, Kiffin was a finalist last season for the Broyles Award, presented annually to the top assistant in college football.