Lane Kiffin's surprising, sudden departure from Alabama one week before the national championship vs. Clemson was an unprecedented move. Kiffin, Alabama's offensive coordinator the past three seasons, already had one foot out the door anyway because of his new responsibilities as Florida Atlantic's coach. However, the timing and gravity of Kiffin parting ways with Alabama sparked a new set of reports and rumors.

Specifically, the growing consensus was that the relationship between Kiffin and coach Nick Saban had deteriorated -- and that the Tide's inconsistent offensive showing during a 24-7 victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinal was a reflection of that.

It's no secret that Kiffin had a full plate trying to game plan for Alabama's playoff run while attempting to build his program at FAU. Splitting time between two jobs is tough for anyone. Ultimately, Kiffin agreed with Saban's comments on ESPN earlier Monday that balancing the two gigs negatively affected the Tide's game plan over the weekend. After the two met, they decided it was best for Kiffin to move on.

"Coach and I spent some time together last night and then again this morning and bounced things around." Kiffin said on SEC Network. "We reflected on the preparation for the game and trying to do both jobs. I thought it would be easier than it was.

"I rewatched the game a couple of times and I don't feel like we played great," Kiffin continued. "Those things happen. We ran the ball well, didn't turn it over. But I was wondering: 'Was I always there?' Because you are balancing two jobs, calling recruits at night."

According to Kiffin, the decision to leave one week before the title game was done with the players' interest "100 percent" in mind. The transition from Kiffin to Steve Sarkisian, the one-time coach and Kiffin's successor at USC, could benefit from the fact that Sarkisian has been on the staff for several months already.

"I just felt Sark and I are so similar. We speak the same language, call games the same way. He would give us the best chance to win because 100 percent of the day his mind would be on the game," Kiffin said. "I'll help any way I can. I can watch film and talk to Sark, but it's best for the players for Sark to call the game."

Kiffin also dismissed the notion that the eventful nature of his departure was a reflection on him with an ever-growing list of unceremonious endings with other programs.

"I can't worry about that," Kiffin said. "This is something 10 years ago I wouldn't have come up with, signing a contract here. The stuff out there, too, last year -- 'there's no way this is going to work [with him and Saban]' -- it wasn't true."

Finally, Kiffin disputed the ESPN report that Kiffin was late to meetings and wasn't enjoying his time at Alabama.

"That's not true," Kiffin said. "The missing the bus thing -- the media was there. We're sitting there at media day and I did everything I was supposed to do. I went out and bus had left. They had other cars there. That got kinda blown up. There were no distractions."

Kiffin ended the interview by saying his time at Alabama was "awesome" and ended with a "Roll Tide."