Lane Kiffin’s Crossroads: Ole Miss or LSU?

Lane Kiffin has expressed that he still has “a lot of work to do” before making any definitive choices regarding a potential move from Ole Miss to LSU. Yet, he appears prepared for either outcome.

Various reports shed light on Kiffin’s mindset as he grapples with this significant decision. Todd McShay, an ESPN NFL Draft Analyst, shared on X late Friday night that it seems Kiffin might already have made up his mind. He mentioned, “Tomorrow is going to be a tough day…” suggesting that changes might be imminent.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has also indicated that Kiffin could be setting up a coaching staff for LSU, which might not bode well for the Rebels. Although Florio didn’t state outright that Kiffin is definitely moving, he did suggest Kiffin is “preparing” for a scenario where he becomes LSU’s head coach.

The situation is complicated for Kiffin, especially considering that the University of Mississippi is a contender for the national championship, having just defeated Mississippi State 38-19 in the Egg Bowl, marking their 11th victory this season. With six years at Ole Miss under his belt, Kiffin spoke to ABC, stating that he plans to make a decision about his future soon—specifically on Saturday. “There’s a lot going into this,” he remarked during his postgame press conference. “It’s a difficult decision. You have to make decisions all the time… and we get paid a lot of money, so we understand that we’re under a lot of attention.”

During this time, Kiffin had an interesting interaction with a reporter who referred to him as “Ho,” showing some of the pressures that come with the job.

Meanwhile, LSU is on the hunt for a new coach following the firing of Brian Kelly and is reportedly extending discussions with Kiffin about a hefty seven-year, $90 million contract. Ole Miss has stated it would match any financial offer made to Kiffin.

Interestingly, Kiffin lost a potential opportunity when Florida redirected its focus to Tulane’s coach John Sumrall. Reports indicated that the Gators grew concerned over inconsistent communication from Kiffin.

What’s clear is this: Ole Miss will participate in the College Football Playoff. However, if Kiffin opts out, Rebels quarterbacks coach and former Giants coach, Joe Judge, might step in as the interim head coach.