Lane Kiffin is an American college football coach born October 12, 1977, making him 47 years old as of 2025. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Southern California (USC), a role he has held since January 2021. Kiffin previously served as head coach at Fresno State, Oakland Raiders (NFL), Tennessee, and Mississippi State. This status profile clarifies his age, career timeline, and present responsibilities with sourced milestones and context for his rapid rise in collegiate football.
Birth date and exact age
Lane Kiffin was born on October 12, 1977. As of mid-2025, he is 47 years old. The following table summarizes key age-related points tied to his career milestones.
Key age and career milestones
| Date or Period | Event | Age at Time | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 12, 1977 | Date of birth | 0 | Estab baseline for all age calculations |
| 2007 | Head coach at Fresno State (age 29) | 29–30 | Youngest head coach in FBS at the time |
| 2010 | Head coach at University of Tennessee (age 32) | 32–33 | One of the youngest head coaches in Power 5 history |
| 2020 | Head coach at Mississippi State (age 42) | 42–43 | Return to SEC after earlier college stints |
| January 2021 | Hired as USC head coach (age 43) | 43 | Began leading a high-expectation program |
| 2025 | Current age | 47 | Mid-career phase with several years remaining on contract |
Current role and organization
Lane Kiffin is the head football coach at the University of Southern California. He signed a 10-year extension in 2023 that runs through the 2031 season, indicating long-term stability at USC. His day-to-day duties include play-calling, roster decisions, fundraising, and media relations. USC football is classified in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and competes in the Big Ten Conference as of the 2024 alignment.
Career context and trajectory
Kiffin’s career is notable for rapid advancement and recurring high-stakes opportunities. He became a head coach in FBS at age 29 and has worked in both power-conference and professional settings. His trajectory includes multiple head-coaching stops and a stint as an offensive coordinator in the NFL. Understanding these phases helps frame his current status and what to expect moving forward.
Coaching timeline at a glance
- 2007: Fresno State head coach (age 29)
- 2010: Tennessee head coach (age 32)
- 2012–2014: Oakland Raiders head coach (age 34–36)
- 2015–2017: FAU head coach (age 37–39)
- 2020: Mississippi State head coach (age 42)
- 2021–present: USC head coach (age 43–47)
Clarifying common status questions
Because Kiffin has moved between jobs frequently, questions about his current role, job security, and next steps are common. As of now, he remains the head coach at USC with a long-term contract. There are no public indicators suggesting imminent departure. Status considerations such as age, experience, and contractual terms are central to understanding his present situation and near-future outlook.
FAQ
Reader questions
How old was Lane Kiffin when he became a college head coach?
He was 29 years old when he became the head coach at Fresno State in 2007, making him the youngest head coach in FBS at the time.
Is Lane Kiffin still coaching?
Yes. He is the head football coach at the University of Southern California as of 2025. He is 47 years old in 2025, based on his birth date of October 12, 1977. Yes. He signed a 10-year extension in 2023 with USC that runs through the 2031 season. Yes. He served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2014. Prior to USC, he was head coach at Mississippi State, Tennessee, Fresno State, and the Oakland Raiders.