Ole Miss played its first game since former head coach Lane Kiffin left for LSU, and it happened to be the biggest game of the season to date.
Playing that game reopened the wound of Kiffin’s leaving. It also restarted the rumor mill as to how and when Kiffin told his players he was going. Now, one Rebels player has addressed what was said.
What Did Lane Kiffin Tell His Players Before Leaving for LSU?
Led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who passed for 282 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 36 yards and two more scores, the Rebels made quick work of the Tulane Green Wave. Star running back Kewan Lacy added 87 yards and a touchdown. Ole Miss won 41-10 at home in the first round of the College Football Playoff Saturday.
This was the Rebels’ first game since losing Kiffin to LSU. Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding was promoted to head coach and earned a win in his debut.
The Kiffin saga dragged on for weeks, leaving players like Lacy and coaches like Golding uncertain about their futures. When it finally ended, some Ole Miss players were surprised by Kiffin’s approach, since they didn’t fully understand what was happening at the time.
According to the star RB, Kiffin did not address the team and never officially told Lacy he was leaving for LSU.
“I talked to him before he left a little bit but he didn’t really say he was leaving,” Lacy said. “He just said he wanted to play in the playoffs but you know, things took a turn.”
Lacy and several other players met with Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter, who announced that Golding would take over as head coach. According to the players, they did not know in advance what the announcement would be.
“We didn’t even know Pete was going to be the coach until the moment,” Lacy explained.
The Ole Miss players believed Kiffin would speak to them himself, but that did not happen.
“We really thought like he was going to come out here and you know talk to us,” Lacy explained. “Then the AD came, you know, said what he had to say. Then Pete, you know, he announced Pete was the head coach.”
Although there was confusion and, understandably, some players were upset that the coach they signed up to play for was leaving, Lacy noted that the team was still excited for Golding.
“He [Carter] announced Pete was the head coach but everybody was fired up because if you know Pete, he’s a great guy,” Lacy said. “Football mind, you know what I’m saying? So we are in good hands for sure.”
Lacy was one of the true stars of this 12-1 Ole Miss team. He rushed for 1,366 yards and 21 touchdowns on 273 carries this season. Lacy and the Rebels had a PFSN CFB Offense Impact score of 85.2, grading out with a B.
The victory set up a rematch with the Georgia Bulldogs in the quarterfinals. Georgia handed Ole Miss their only loss, earning a 43-35 victory in Athens on October 18. Ole Miss had a 35-26 lead after three quarters, but was outscored 17-0 in the fourth.
Lacy, Golding, and the Rebels will look to avenge their only defeat this season when they take on the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
