KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Lane Kiffin is returning to Southern California as the Trojans' coach after just one season at Tennessee.

Kiffin was chosen yesterday to replace Pete Carroll, his mentor and employer for six seasons. Kiffin was the Trojans' offensive coordinator before his brief stints with the Oakland Raiders and the Volunteers.

"This was not an easy decision," he said last night, reading a brief statement on Tennessee's campus. "This is something that happens very quick. We've been here 14 months, and the support has been unbelievable here. I really believe the only place I would have left here to go was ... Southern California."

His father, defensive coach Monte Kiffin, and longtime USC assistant Ed Orgeron also will leave Tennessee to join him, USC said in a statement. Volunteers assistant Kippy Brown, who joined Kiffin's staff less than four weeks ago, was promoted to interim coach.

ESPN.com first reported the surprising move by Kiffin and the Trojans, who needed just one day to fill one of the most desirable jobs in college football.

Despite reports across the Internet, a deal to bring Norm Chow, currently UCLA's offensive coordinator, back to USC as offensive coordinator is not done yet, according to the Los Angeles Times. A source close to Chow says while the two sides are talking, no deal has been reached.

Chow said recently that it "would take NFL-type money" to get him back to USC.