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Since World War II, only 17 coaches have lasted less than 3 seasons with their teams. Some were fired, and some left for better opportunities. Here are some of the most notable shortest coaching tenures of the SEC.
Billy Kinard: Ole Miss 1971-1973 (25 games)
After legendary Rebels coach John Vaught suffered a heart attack and retired, former Ole Miss All-American Frank Kinard was tapped in as Athletic Director. He hired his younger brother, Billy. In his first season, he led the Rebels to 10 a 10-2 record and a Peach Bowl victory. In 1972, the Rebels slipped to 5-5; in 1973 when they lost 2 of their first 3 games, the school fired Billy.
Lane Kiffin: Tennessee 2009 (13 games)
After being led by Philip Fulmer for 16+ years, Lane Kiffin was hired for the Volunteers after he was fired from being the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Kiffin landed a top 10 national recruiting class, and his team went 7-6. However, 10 days after losing to Virginia Tech in the Peach Bowl, Kiffin left the Vols to replace former boss Pete Carroll at USC. Kiffin lasted just 13 games with the Vols. He is now the head coach of Ole Miss.
Robbie Caldwell: Vanderbilt 2010 (12 games)
July 22, 2010: Vanderbilt interim head football coach Robbie Caldwell charms the media at his SEC Media Day presser. pic.twitter.com/Hq1XzP8tUg
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) July 22, 2022
Caldwell started as an anonymous offensive line coach for the Commodores for eight seasons. When Bobby Johnson resigned suddenly in July 2010, Caldwell took the interim coaching spot mere days before SEC Media days began. Three weeks later, Caldwell was promoted to permanent head coach. His team went 2-10 overall and 1-7 in SEC play. After ending the season with 7 straight losses, Caldwell resigned.
Mike Price: Alabama 2003 (0 games)
Following Dennis Franchione’s tenure, Alabama pursued many coaches before settling on Mike Price. The 56-year-old was coming off of a Pac-12 co-championship and a Rose Bowl appearance in 2002. In April 2003, reports began to surface about Price’s inappropriate behavior at a charity golf tournament in Pensacola. An investigation showed how Price would socialize with students around campus bars. School President Robert Witt had no choice but to fire Price before he had even coached a game.
