New LSU Tigers coach Lane Kiffin has continued to dominate the headlines, almost two weeks since he departed Oxford for Baton Rouge. The expected fallout for Ole Miss did not materialize on Selection Sunday as the No. 6 Rebels were granted a home game against the No. 11 Tulane Green Wave in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Kiffin further made amends for his move by allowing not only offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. to rejoin the Rebels, but also four key staff members who had followed him to LSU were allowed to return and help Ole Miss during the playoff.
Archie Manning Blasts Lane Kiffin After Acrimonious Ole Miss Exit
In a fiery clip sent to an Ole Miss fan this week, Ole Miss legend Archie Manning blasted Kiffin’s personality while wishing the team the best during the upcoming College Football Playoff.
“Hey Richard, Archie Manning here. Now I know what big Rebel fans you, David, and Scott are. And I want to also thank you for being a big fan of mine,” Manning said.
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He added, “As you know, the Rebels had a great year. I think we’re going to do great in the playoffs without our narcissistic, jerk coach. I sure hope so.”
Archie, who is the patriarch of the Manning family, father to Eli, Peyton, and Cooper, and grandfather to Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, played for the Rebels between 1968 and 1970.
He was named the SEC Player of the Year in 1969 and finished third in the 1970 Heisman Trophy voting; his No. 18 jersey was retired by Ole Miss.
Kiffin’s LSU Move Receives Legends’ Backing
Even as the fallout from Kiffin’s move continues unabated, Kiffin has received some backing from legends of the sport. During his introductory news conference in Baton Rouge, Kiffin name-checked legends Pete Carroll and Nick Saban as critical voices in his decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU.
On Tuesday, Carroll released a passionate statement in support of Kiffin’s controversial move to LSU from Ole Miss.
“I go way back with Monte Kiffin, of course, and I’ve known Lane just about his whole life, so I have a deep respect and love for the Kiffin family,” Carroll’s statement read. “Lane has always been an innovative coach who is not afraid to push the boundaries and approach the job in his unique way.
“Always searching for avenues to help his team improve and compete at the highest of levels. It’s been a pleasure to track his success as a coach, most recently with the tremendous time he had at Ole Miss, and I know that he will bring that same passion and creative mindset to LSU.”
Despite Kiffin’s departure, the Rebels under new coach Pete Golding have a 19.04% chance of reaching the national championship game according to PFSN’s CFP metric.
