Jimbo Fisher Critiques Lane Kiffin’s Departure from Ole Miss

Jimbo Fisher has voiced his frustration regarding Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss, particularly as it relates to Kiffin no longer being the Rebels’ coach.

The former national championship-winning coach at Florida State, who was at Texas A&M from 2018 to 2023, expressed his grievances in a typical passionate manner. “That’s selfish, that’s what it is. It’s stupid,” Fisher remarked on the ACC Network. This came just before Ole Miss’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Miami.

Fisher elaborated, “He wanted to coach, but when things didn’t align with his wishes, he said, ‘Everybody get on a plane with me or I don’t have a job.'” He criticized Kiffin for letting go of his staff and then conducting a public relations campaign to save face, arguing it shows a lack of concern for the players.

Kiffin departed from Ole Miss amid a national championship pursuit to take up a position at LSU, bringing several assistant coaches along with him.

Had all the coaches left at that time, Ole Miss would have faced a significant staffing issue for the CFP, likely forcing Kiffin to grant his assistants the opportunity to stay and uphold their reputation.

Fisher claimed Kiffin misjudged his former team’s chances against Georgia State, believing they wouldn’t advance. However, the Rebels pulled off an upset, beating the Bulldogs 39-34.

“That’s where he messed up,” Fisher continued. “He thought he was going to lose to Georgia and believed the transfer portal mess was over. He wanted to look like a hero, but now he has egg on his face.” He emphasized the emotional toll on players, stating “those kids are experiencing something truly special, and as a coach, you have to respect that.” He added that if coaches are allowed to participate in one game, they should be allowed to coach throughout the entire tournament.

“It really frustrates me because it hurts the kids,” Fisher concluded.

No. 6 Ole Miss’s victory over Georgia puts them in a semifinal match against No. 10 Miami, which coincides with a crucial transfer portal window.

With the portal open until January 16, Kiffin has limited time to recruit new talent for LSU after his switch.

While Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith are slated to coach Thursday’s game, prior commitments to LSU mean tight ends coach Joe Cox and receivers coach George McDonald are unlikely to be present.

This recruiting season is vital for Kiffin as he focuses on rebuilding the Tigers.

In late December, quarterback Damond Williams Jr. secured a $4 million NIL contract with Washington but seems to have opted out, stirring speculation that LSU may be a potential landing spot.

Washington is reportedly unhappy about the situation, leading the school to initiate legal action against Williams Jr., asserting the contract’s binding nature and questioning his ability to re-enter the portal.

Ole Miss narrowly lost by three points in their Thursday game, and Kiffin is expected to miss the match following his recent controversies.