Lane Kiffin says Ole Miss fans attempted to run him off the road

Lane Kiffin Reflects on Transition to LSU Amid Ole Miss Tensions

New LSU head coach Lane Kiffin shared his thoughts on the challenges he faced as he departed from Ole Miss. He mentioned an unfortunate incident where fans allegedly tried to run him and his son, Knox, off the road while they were leaving Mississippi State for Baton Rouge.

During his introductory press conference on Monday, Kiffin acknowledged his emotional response to the boos from Rebels fans as he exited Oxford.

“It was really hard and very challenging,” he stated at Tiger Stadium. “I recognize this is SEC passion. I get that, but I usually don’t let it affect me too much…”

He went on to describe the airport scene, recalling how he and Knox experienced some intense moments during their drive, highlighting the negative remarks thrown their way.

“We arrived here [in Baton Rouge], and within just six minutes, fans were saying, ‘Coach, we love you. You are the best ever,’” he recalled, emphasizing the contrasting reactions from the LSU crowd.

“That’s just the way it is in the SEC. I’ve been around long enough to understand the passion involved,” Kiffin noted. “I’m not upset with the fans or their reactions. When someone leaves, especially if they’ve been successful, it tends to stir strong feelings.”

He added, “Fans don’t go out of their way to voice their frustrations unless they feel invested in what’s happening. It’s clear they were unhappy to see me leave because they appreciated what we accomplished there.”

Kiffin expressed hope that Ole Miss fans would eventually remember the positive six seasons he spent coaching the Rebels. “I believe time will heal any hurt feelings, as I’ve seen similar situations in this conference before,” he said.

Kiffin proudly posed for a photo with LSU President Dr. Wade Ruth and Athletic Director Verge Ausberry at the South Stadium Club following his press conference.

Prior to this, Kiffin’s future was under speculation, especially after Ole Miss’s 38-19 victory over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. He announced via social media on Sunday that he would be joining the LSU Tigers.

This move came after months of uncertainty surrounding his coaching status, particularly after the dismissal of LSU’s former coach, Brian Kelly, in October. Meanwhile, Florida replaced their former coach, Brian Napier, with former Tulane coach John Sumrall, thereby withdrawing from the competition for Kiffin’s services.