Lane Kiffin's Reaction to His Daughter's Massive Spending Spree Makes Him Everydad

Lane Kiffin has been charge of major football programs, college and pro. He's a multimillionaire who has spent a quarter of a century in the public eye. He's got a high pressure job with the weight of the world on his shoulders and the fates of dozens of young athletes and his assistants in his hands. 

And yet, for all that, he's never been more relatable than he is in these 18 seconds. In this moment, he is all of us with kids. 

I mean, that is an all time reaction. First, the way he's visibly awkward and nervous about not knowing what do to with himself in that mall while his teenager is in the store squandering umpteen of his hard earned money. Then utter look of shock at his daughter's admission of a $721 purchase. You can just see him doing the math in his head. And based on what he's wearing, determining that she just spent more than he has on his clothes all year. Then checking his carotid artery like he's having cardiac arrest is one of the best dad moves I've ever seen. Seriously, where was this gesture when my kids were bringing home notes from their teachers about the assignments they blew off? I'm ashamed of myself for not thinking of it first. 

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The one inescapable takeaway from this is that for all his swagger, ego and braggadocio, Kiffin is like every other dad who's teenage daughter has him wrapped around her finger. I specifically mention daughters because I don't know of a teenage son who can make his father look so Beta like this. He won't hesitate to blow up a 325 pound tackle for a false start on 3rd & short, but when she giggles in his face about the 700 bucks, he completely cowers. And it's genuine. It has to be. We've all seen Kiffin lie in an interview or a press conference about something. Every coach does. And he's not a good enough actor to fake this. Hell, Denzel Washington isn't this good an actor. And it's downright endearing to see a CFB coach be so human. 

So good for him. And her. And good for all of us with sons who couldn't spend $721 on 20 visits to a mall. If mine did, I wouldn't be faking that heart attack, I assure you.