USC's Lane Kiffin Has Displayed Poise and Maturity Under Heavy Fire

People aren't saying a whole lot of positive things about Lane Kiffin these days.

In reality, he has come under a firestorm that wasn't of his own making. The trouble at USC was under the watch of Pete Carroll and Mike Garrett. The trouble on his three year stint away from USC was primarily a result of other people.

Lane Kiffin didn't get along with Al Davis? Really?! Throw him to the wolves. He must be a terrible person.

Wait, Lane Kiffin gave up a job in the scorching summers of Tennessee surrounded by southerners to return home to gorgeous beaches, people he knew, and more importantly, a better job?

On top of that, it is his dream job.

What a sick, sick man.

Now he is being sued by the Tennessee Titans for getting Kennedy Pola to return to sunny SoCal. I can't believe anyone would choose a better job in California over a worse job in Tennessee. It's such a mind boggling trend.

Despite the fact that Kiffin has dealt with escaping angry mobs on his way back to L.A., shockingly harsh (and widely believed to be excessive) sanctions, and now being sued by a team that has a fellow Trojan as a coach, he hasn't really even flinched.

On the last bit I don't think he is particularly worried because after discussing the circumstances with an attorney friend of mine I was assured that it was a publicity stunt. But there have been other things, such as the firing of the guy who hired him.

The past six months could adequately be described as an emotional roller coaster at USC, and Lane, moreso than Matt Barkley, has emerged as the face of the future.

In media appearances he is always positive yet serious, but he never shows any signs of concern. He always points to the fact that he is, after all, at USC.

It is without a doubt one of the three greatest football programs in college history. Some even say it is the best.

Lane seems locked into reality, as he readily admits that in order to be successful the Trojans will need exceptional roster management (because of the scholarship restrictions). However he always points to the fact that USC has faced similar circumstances before, and responded by coming out and going to four of the next six Rose Bowls.

Is he the guy I want leading my team right now, in the face of so much conflict and change?

At first, I was only sold because he brought Monte Kiffin with him. I also loved getting Ed Orgeron back. I thought if they had added Norm Chow, it would have been a true dream team of coaches.

But after watching the way Kiffin has handled these events, I can truly say he is prepared for the stress of satisfying the Trojan faithful with victories. He has the maturity to be the man in charge.

He definitely isn't what he was the last time he coached at USC. The guy has changed, and realistically, he has changed for the better.

Certainly there will be those outside of Troy who disagree with me, but at USC, there is a very strong feeling that the team got the right man for the job.

And that counts for a lot during such a turbulent time.