Don’t look for an Ole Miss reunion in East Rutherford anytime soon.
As rumors swirl about coach Brian Daboll’s future with the Giants and potential coaching candidates like Jackson Dart’s former college coach, Lane Kiffin, some think he might be making a return to the NFL.
But Kiffin seems to enjoy the warmer southern climate.
In a recent podcast, Jackson’s father, Brandon Dart, shared a humorous moment from a family text thread, mentioning that Boomer Esiason joked about a coaching opportunity for Kiffin, to which Kiffin replied, “New York is too cold for me.” Funny, right?
Brandon added that they stay in close contact with Kiffin and he continues to be a trusted figure for Jackson, offering him advice. The bond they’ve developed over time is something they deeply appreciate.
Currently, the Giants are struggling with a 2-7 record, marking yet another disappointing season. It raises the question of whether Daboll might be done with the team.
With the recent loss to the 49ers, speculation about a replacement has already begun, and Esiason noted that Kiffin could be a good fit.
However, Esiason also expressed doubt that the pairing will actually happen.
In theory, it sounds appealing. Having Kiffin, someone Jackson and his family respect, coaching him could, well, lead to a fruitful partnership.
Dart, who transferred to Ole Miss in 2022, had an impressive run under Kiffin, racking up 72 touchdowns and 22 interceptions in three seasons.
In his final season, he threw for 4,729 yards and 29 touchdowns with a completion rate of 69.3%, securing a spot as the No. 25 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Brandon emphasized Kiffin’s role as a mentor, noting that their relationship took time to develop, starting from a challenging foundation.
Kiffin’s previous NFL stint with the Raiders was rocky—he went 5-15 in two seasons before getting fired. But rather than letting that setback define him, he returned to college coaching and has seen considerable success at Ole Miss.
Under his leadership, the program boasts a 52-19 record over six seasons, with a strong start this year, even ranking No. 6 in the nation.
However, it seems Kiffin is happy in the college scene for now, with prominent coaching positions available if he ever decides to make a move, like at Florida State, LSU, or Penn State.
All this chatter, though, hinges on the Giants deciding whether to stick with Daboll or look for a new direction.
While Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen came in together, they weren’t exactly a package deal, according to reports.
The duo’s record stands at 20-39-1, and their performance hasn’t inspired much hope, particularly over the last three seasons.
Despite the struggles, Dart appears to be the team’s bright spot and may play a key role in any decision about the franchise’s future.
