Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is going full circle with an unexpected career move.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday night that Kingsbury is expected to take a job with the USC Trojans, working with quarterbacks. Whether that role is as the QB coach or an offensive analyst is unclear.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Kingsbury has been expected to take a job at USC, and the previous stint frustrated many Trojans fans. In December 2018, Kingsbury signed a contract to be USC’s offensive coordinator. However, a month later, he resigned to become head coach of the Cardinals.
The Cardinals fired the 43-year-old Kingsbury in early January after he posted a 28-37-1 mark in four seasons.
Former #Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is expected to join Lincoln Riley at USC and work with the team’s quarterbacks, per sources.
So Kingsbury, who was part of the team that drafted Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall, now will coach another potential No. 1 pick in Caleb Williams. pic.twitter.com/MxwzrEVb9J
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 11, 2023
It’s an interesting twist for Kingsbury to return to USC. He had previously worked in the college ranks as head coach at Texas Tech for six seasons (2013-2018). He had an average record (35-40) but developed a reputation as a strong offensive mind, largely thanks to players such as Patrick Mahomes.
Now, Kingsbury will have a chance at USC to work with Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at quarterback.
Trojans fans quickly reacted to the news, including many who said they had heard this before.
For real this time??????
— David (@lakeshowfla) April 11, 2023
Would be hard to find any QB and HC coach more like-minded, come from as impressive an offensive coaching tree, and have a more impressive history developing College QBs than Riley and Kingsbury.
Caleb Williams and that offense have the potential to be scary good.
— therealarod1984 (@therealarod1984) April 11, 2023
I need to find a Sportsbook that will let me put money on KK as next USC head coach when Lincoln leaves for the NFL. That’s gotta be the next step.
— Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) April 11, 2023
Wow this is going to make Caleb William’s even more deadly as a QB. 🤯🤯
— Jeremy 🏈🏀⚾️ (@AUtigerman1993) April 11, 2023
It’s really not, kliff kingsbury is not the qb whisperer that people make him out to be 🤯🤯
— Terry 👹 (@rozier_burner) April 11, 2023
In one year, he went from getting an NFL HC extension to being a college QB coach.
— Khal_Draco (@KhalDraco3) April 11, 2023
so he’s gonna ride Caleb Williams coattails to a power 5 job?
— Mac (@FollowOurSystem) April 11, 2023