Nick Saban’s Two-Word Lane Kiffin Insult Revealed In New Book

While former Alabama head coach Nick Saban will always be remembered for building a dynasty that won six titles, the number of coaching careers he helped save or start will also be a part of his legacy.

In a book titled “ The Price: What It Takes to Win In College Football’s Era of Chaos,” which is set to be released on August 27, journalists Armen Keteyian and John Talty dive into the dicey relationship between Saban and current Ole Miss head coach, Lane Kiffin.

According to a report by Al.com, which obtained a sneak peek of the book, Saban almost fired his and Kiffin's agent, Jimmy Sexton, because of Kiffin.

“That son of a b****,” Saban said to Sexton, according to the book excerpt obtained by Al.com . “I’m going to fire you, Jimmy, for ever talking me into hiring that narcissistic p****.”

It was also revealed that Saban could not deal with the fact that he couldn't control Kiffin, whom USC infamously fired on the LAX tarmac.

“I ain’t never had a f****** coach I can’t control,” Saban told another assistant about Kiffin, according to Al.com.

As revealed in the report, Saban was initially intrigued by Kiffin's modern offense, which Alabama needed. However, Kiffin didn't make it easy on anyone, as another excerpt from the book revealed that Sexton had to encourage Kiffin to stay the course.

“I was screaming at him,” Sexton said, according to an excerpt from The Price. “‘Let’s go play the game today. Let’s win the game today. If you win games, you’ll get a job. People don’t hire guys who are losing; they hire guys who are winning.’”

Kiffin eventually returned for a third season at Alabama but found himself being fired by Saban ahead of the national title game. Kiffin had been hired as the head coach at FAU in the middle of their title run but was unable to balance being in both places at once. While the relationship didn't end on the best of terms, Kiffin is clearly appreciative of Saban as he frequently calls him the GOAT and praised him at SEC Media Days.

“I’m so very appreciative to him those three years and really him taking a chance on me,” Kiffin said in July. “Not just ‘OK what did I learn when I got there,’ which is all over our program whether that’s coaches hired, former players hired, principles process over outcome. But the opportunity that he gave me to come there. I feel like a lot of people wouldn’t. It was controversial and I give him credit.”

Aside from Kiffin, who is thriving at Ole Miss, a few notable coaches like Oregon's Dan Lanning, Texas' Steve Sarkisian and Georgia's Kirby Smart all spent time learning from Saban in Tuscaloosa.

While it may not have been his favorite experience, saving Kiffin's career may be one of Saban's best accomplishments.

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