Exactly two hours before the kickoff of Florida Atlantic’s 42-19 loss to Navy on Friday night, Lane Kiffin finished his journey through the parking lot north of FAU Stadium. As he handed out fist bumps to students, he remained stone-faced, a pair of dark blue sunglasses obscuring his face.
Some students climbed metal barricades to get a glimpse of FAU’s new coach. Others dressed like him, complete with a headset and play sheet. One girl wrapped a dark red choker around her neck with the word “KIFFIN” emblazoned across it in rhinestones.
Friday night marked the beginning of Kiffin’s era at FAU.