Former Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury is back in the football coaching business.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the 43-year-old “is expected to join” the USC Trojans’ coaching staff under Lincoln Riley. Pelissero added that Kingsbury will be working with the team’s quarterbacks, including potential 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams.
Before making the jump to the NFL in 2019, Kingsbury was the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders (2013 to 2018), where he coached current Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Prior to joining Texas Tech, Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Texas A&M Aggies (2012). Under Kingsbury’s guidance, Johnny Manziel took home the 2012 Heisman Trophy.
Arizona ended a six-year playoff drought in 2021 by finishing with a record of 11-6, but they were dominated by the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round. Arizona finished 4-13-0 in 2022, marking the third-worst record in football.
Some NFL teams were interested in hiring Kingsbury as an offensive coordinator, but he decided not to accept any offers. Kingsbury waited it out for three months and is now headed back to the NCAA, where he’ll work with one of the nation’s top teams and coaches.
