Dan Wolken

USA TODAY Sports

As speculation rages behind the scenes about what jobs will open up in the coming weeks, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin remains a divisive potential candidate. There’s no doubt he has earned another opportunity based on his rehabilitation tour under Nick Saban, but some athletics directors will question whether he completely has his act together after the flameout at USC. If Kiffin can assuage those concerns, he’ll get a job. But what does Kiffin’s perfect landing spot look like?

With the help of several people in the coaching search industry, we took a stab at projecting where he might fit.

West Virginia

Shane Lyons, who took over as athletics director last year, came from Alabama where he worked closely with the football program. Dana Holgorsen is perceived to be on the hot seat, and if he doesn’t work out you’d have to think Nick Saban’s recommendation would carry a lot of weight.

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Arizona

Rich Rodriguez was considered damaged goods when athletics director Greg Byrne hired him, so there’s a history of rolling the dice on big names. Rodriguez has been involved with several coaching searches the last couple years, and industry perception has been that he’d like to get back to the East Coast.

N.C. State

It still seems unlikely the Wolfpack will make a change, but Dave Doeren is 6-18 in the ACC and if things continue to go south, who knows?

Kentucky

Nobody is going to be a bigger rock star in Lexington than John Calipari, but Kiffin might give him a run for his money.

Houston

If Tom Herman left, the school would undoubtedly want to think big and bold given the recent success and financial resources that have been poured into the football program. Art Briles may be too toxic politically, but Kiffin would be splashy and continue the recruiting success Herman started.

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San Diego State

Rocky Long is going stronger than ever, but he turns 67 in January and there have been retirement whispers. It’s unclear if the Aztecs would have the resources to pull Kiffin, as he already makes nearly twice Long’s current salary.

Fresno State

It’s a little known fact that Kiffin graduated from Fresno State in 1996 and started his coaching career there. Like the San Diego State job, it would allow him to move back to the West Coast where his children live.

Auburn

No way, right?

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