re: Help me understand the Kiffin stuff ...

Jmo, since it's been posted that LK contract ends in February of 2017, LK needed a place to go and that is LSU.
Now that the UH job is available LK will pursue that opportunity and have the LSU spot as a fall back if he doesn't get the HC at UH.

As for Sark, I believe LK informed NS early on that 2017 would be his last season at UA. As a result NS reached out to Sark because he was available and his experience as an OC with LK while at SoCal would allow the Bama O to keep plugging away with minimal changes to style and or philosophy of how the offense plays.

Also, as far as the lsu OC job. If LK goes to lsu as OC, look for him to be there no longer than 2 seasons, tops. Could be a 1 and done scenario if a HC opportunity comes up again at the end if 2017. (UTk??)