According to Phil Savage, the famous "ass chewing" that Saban gave Kiffin was because Kiffin called a player dumb on the headsets.  While the explanation is a little dubious, it's worth watching the video again for the 17th time.

Never change, Joey Freshwater.

http://deadspin.com/report-lane-kiffin-was-famously-chewed-out-by-nick-s...