Kiffin to leave son’s USC staff

LOS ANGELES – Southern California assistant head football coach Monte Kiffin resigned from his son’s coaching staff Thursday night after a miserable season for the Trojans’ defense.

Monte Kiffin announced in a news release that he will leave USC after the Trojans’ bowl game next month to pursue a return to the NFL.

“I wanted to make this announcement now so that our players who are preparing for the bowl game and our recruits who will be visiting campus are aware,” Monte Kiffin said in a statement.

“The chance to work for my son, Lane, was unique and memorable, but …

LOS ANGELES – Southern California assistant head football coach Monte Kiffin resigned from his son’s coaching staff Thursday night after a miserable season for the Trojans’ defense.

Monte Kiffin announced in a news release that he will leave USC after the Trojans’ bowl game next month to pursue a return to the NFL.

“I wanted to make this announcement now so that our players who are preparing for the bowl game and our recruits who will be visiting campus are aware,” Monte Kiffin said in a statement.

“The chance to work for my son, Lane, was unique and memorable, but we always treated each other professionally on a coach-to-coach basis.

“Although things didn’t always go as well as we would have liked this year from a defensive and win-loss standpoint … I see great things ahead for the USC football program.”

The 72-year-old Monte Kiffin is considered one of the most influential defensive coaches in recent football history.