Kiffin Faces Discontent from Ole Miss Community
Lane Kiffin probably won’t be getting any warm welcomes in Oxford, Mississippi, anytime soon.
Over the weekend, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter joined in, expressing his concerns alongside various players who questioned Kiffin’s remarks and scheduling after he announced his departure from Ole Miss to LSU.
Carter spoke about Kiffin’s narrative on “Supertalk Mississippi” Wednesday.
“There are plenty of things he’s said that I’m not sure are entirely accurate,” Carter mentioned.
He specifically cited Kiffin’s assertion that he wasn’t informed until Sunday morning that he wouldn’t be able to coach in the College Football Playoff.
“I think both he and his agent knew for weeks that if he wasn’t the head coach at Ole Miss, coaching in the playoffs wouldn’t be an option,” Carter said.
During his introduction press conference on Monday in Baton Rouge, Carter disputed Kiffin’s alleged schedule. He noted a particular scenario where if Auburn had defeated Alabama, they would have played in the SEC Championship, which complicated things if Kiffin was coaching in that game.
“That’s not accurate,” he reiterated. “It was clear weeks ago that Kiffin wouldn’t have the chance to coach in the postseason.”
Kiffin’s exit from Ole Miss was confusing and prolonged, causing a lot of chatter over the weekend before he made his announcement on Sunday.
Carter’s comments followed a wave of criticism from several Ole Miss players, who took to social media to counter Kiffin’s claims regarding his request to the government via the CFP for permission to coach the Rebels.
Sophomore offensive lineman Brycen Sanders slammed Kiffin on social media Tuesday night, sharing the coach’s initial goodbye post and adding, “‘Despite the team asking me to continue coaching.’ Everyone in that room would disagree.”
Players Parris Wilkins, Jayden Williams, and Santalin Perkins also supported or echoed Sanders’ sentiments against Kiffin.
As of now, Kiffin hasn’t publicly responded to the backlash from the Ole Miss athletic director and former players.
