Would Kliff Kingsbury go all-in for an NFL opportunity?

He’s being blocked from interviewing for jobs, but would Kliff Kingsbury consider paying a buyout and going all-in on a chance to coach in the NFL?

Despite going just 35-40 over six seasons as head coach at Texas Tech, Kliff Kingsbury became a rumored candidate for jobs in the NFL as the league tries to find the next dynamic offensive mind. He was hired fairly quickly as offensive coordinator at USC, but that has not stopped interest from NFL teams.

Kingsbury was reportedly set to interview with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals for their open head coaching jobs at some point soon, with nothing to theoretically keep him from doing so and making a quick jump. The NFL, however, was sure to remind teams they need to get permission from athletic directors before interviewing a college coach who’s under contract.

Thus, USC athletic director Lynn Swann has the right to block Kingsbury from interviewing for jobs in the NFL. And that’s just what he has done.

It’s been just over a month since he was hired at USC. So Kingsbury might burn the college bridge forever if he left so quickly for a job (as a head coach or offensive coordinator) in the NFL.

But according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Kingsbury’s contract at USC has a low buyout. That has been a background issue up to this point, with getting permission from Swann the first step for NFL teams wanting to secure an interview. That step has been removed, unless Swann changes his tune.

Which begs the question–Would Kingsbury pay the buyout, untie himself from USC, and go all-in to pursue NFL opportunities?

If Kingsbury hits the NFL interview circuit, with the Cardinals and Jets presumably first in line, there’s obviously no guarantee he gets a head coaching job. There may be coordinator opportunities out there, but apart from a raise in salary that would be a lateral move from USC.

There’s skepticism about Kingsbury’s NFL candidacy anyway, with no pro experience as an assistant to go with the below .500 record at Texas Tech. But he now has a real risk-reward decision in front of him, with lots of downside and the possibility of a year off he isn’t in line to have right now.