Lane Kiffin’s Transition from Ole Miss to LSU

Lane Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss wasn’t the end for a few players who journeyed with him to Baton Rouge. Charlie Weis Jr., the new offensive coordinator for LSU, will stay on at Ole Miss to guide the Rebels during the College Football Playoff.

On Tuesday, Ole Miss disclosed its coaching roster, with Kiffin mentioning in a statement that the CFP rankings influenced the decision for Weiss to continue coaching the team for a little longer.

“As the playoff committee releases updated rankings tonight, I wanted you to know that after discussions with LSU, Charlie will be allowed to return to Ole Miss to coach the team during the playoffs,” said Kiffin. “We hope this decision will enable Ole Miss to achieve the highest ranking possible, as these outstanding players truly deserve it. We are thrilled to have Charlie back as coach of what I believe is the greatest team in Ole Miss history.”

Kiffin and Weis first collaborated at Alabama back in 2015 when Kiffin was the offensive coordinator, and Weis worked as an assistant. They reunited at Florida Atlantic and later at Ole Miss in 2022.

Though Kiffin is unable to finish the season at Ole Miss or meet with players prior to his decision, LSU is said to have agreed to pay him the same bonus he would have earned had he stayed through the CFP.

Kiffin expressed understanding regarding Ole Miss’s athletic director, Keith Carter’s decision to not let him complete the season. “We went through a lot last night. I respect Keith’s choice. I wish the team the best of luck. I hope they play well and win the national championship,” said Kiffin.

On another note, Kiffin is reportedly set to earn $13 million per year at LSU, making him the second-highest paid college coach in the country, following Georgia’s Kirby Smart.

Now, Pete Golding, Ole Miss’s defensive coordinator, has been named as Kiffin’s successor in Oxford.