Kiffin’s Departure From Ole Miss Still Reverberates

Lane Kiffin may have left Ole Miss, but his presence lingers.

Following the Rebels’ dramatic comeback against Georgia in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, former players voiced their discontent over Kiffin’s absence. They suggested the current LSU head coach was more interested in media attention than the game itself.

Senior defensive tackle Xavian Harris referred to Kiffin’s departure just before the playoffs as a “slap in the face.” He elaborated on Kiffin’s perceived motives, saying, “He was just trying to steal our shine. That’s all he’s trying to do.”

Interestingly, instead of attending Thursday’s game, Kiffin chose to watch the No. 5 LSU women’s basketball team lose to No. 12 Kentucky.

The unfolding drama stems from Kiffin’s abrupt switch from the University of Mississippi to LSU, leaving behind a team in contention for a title. After departing, he took several assistants with him to rival SEC schools, yet the Rebels managed to pull off a couple of playoff victories, including an upset over No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Meanwhile, Pete Golding, Kiffin’s former defensive coordinator, took the helm and successfully guided the team through these playoff wins.

Next up for Ole Miss is a showdown against No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl semifinals, and the team is undeniably motivated by Kiffin’s exit. Harris emphasized the team’s response, calling it “like a slap or a backhand,” noting, “He was trying to be rough. We’re going to rough him up. We’ve got something on him.”

With one victory needed for a national title, it’s uncertain how many of the Ole Miss coaches intended to follow Kiffin to LSU will remain with the Rebels. Adding to the complexity, the transfer portal opened on Friday, initiating a two-week period for players to seek new opportunities for the upcoming season.