When Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU, controversy and conjecture followed. Amid a media storm, the schools quickly addressed their coaching needs. Kiffin went to Baton Rouge; defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over in Oxford. Strong feelings remain about how the move happened.
Lane Kiffin to Blame for Ole Miss Departure Asserts CFB Analyst
Kiffin departed Oxford for Louisiana on November 30. After a back-and-forth process amid speculation, the divorce was finalized in Mississippi. Yet, emotions appeared raw, and tensions ran high between the coach and his former employer.
Kiffin, who uses social media as his platform to express his opinion, detailed how he wanted to coach the Rebels during the College Football Playoff. Mississippi athletic director Keith Carter, according to Kiffin, denied him the opportunity. FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt took issue with Kiffin’s stance on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” podcast.
“He decided to move, and that’s fine. I also said during that time, there are consequences to those decisions. I don’t think Lane understands that he’s not the victim in this scenario. I think that there are a lot of things going on right now, and what I look at is the player.”
“If I’m Trinidad Chambliss, don’t I expect my offensive coordinator to be 100% invested in what’s going on with the national semi-final? Yes, that’s, that’s what I hope for if I’m in that position as a quarterback. And the reality is that’s not the case.”
Klatt brings up several timeline-related points worth discussing. First, Kiffin left after Ole Miss’s successful season, which concluded just before his departure, marking the end of his official involvement. He then took a job with a school that is a direct rival to the University of Mississippi. Shortly after, Kiffin stated he wished to coach Ole Miss in the playoff semifinal.
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Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr., also accepted a job at LSU but continues to manage Mississippi’s offense, despite being physically absent from campus during the week. As a result, questions arise about preparation leading up to Thursday, when Ole Miss faces Miami, a team known for its aggressive pass rush. Mississippi holds the No.12 spot in PFSN’s CFB Impact Rankings, which measures efficiency and production.
Kiffin, however, celebrated Mississippi’s recent victories on social media, frustrating the fan base. LSU inflamed the situation by offering $500,000 if the Rebels win the title, doubling the incentive. 334 miles apart but will play their 115th game in the Magnolia Bowl this fall. The programs remain inextricably linked. The story between the two parties will always find the headlines.
