Speculation surrounding Lane Kiffin“s status with Ole Miss is set to linger a bit longer as the team prepares for the upcoming Egg Bowl against Mississippi State on November 28. Kiffin, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for coaching positions at LSU and Florida, reportedly met with Ole Miss officials last Friday, but both parties have decided to withhold any announcements until after the rivalry game.
Keith Carter, the vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics, stated, “Coach Kiffin and I have had many pointed and positive conversations regarding his future at Ole Miss, including our meeting today with Chancellor Boyce. While we discuss next steps, we know we cannot lose sight of what is more important — our sixth-ranked team that is poised to finish the regular season in historic fashion.” Carter emphasized that in light of the external chatter, Kiffin is focused on preparing the team for the Egg Bowl, and they want to ensure that players and coaches can concentrate fully on the game.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Kiffin has achieved a commendable record of 54-19 during his six seasons with the Rebels, leading the team to bowl games in each of his first five years in Oxford. This season, he has guided Ole Miss to a 10-1 start, placing them sixth in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and third in the Southeastern Conference with a 6-1 record.
As the rumors about Kiffin”s potential departure intensify, his family has reportedly been flown out for campus tours by LSU and Florida, indicating serious interest from both programs. However, Kiffin has been reticent to engage in discussions about his future, responding to inquiries with a firm stance. “I”m going to stay on what I”ve done for six years, which isn”t talking about other jobs and that situation,” Kiffin remarked after being pressed about his future in Mississippi. He further questioned the rationale behind speculation, saying, “Do I expect to coach next week? Why would I not expect to coach next week? I mean, I expected to coach against Florida, too. So I don”t even understand the question of how I would not expect to coach next week.”
Following the Egg Bowl, an announcement regarding Kiffin”s future is anticipated the subsequent Saturday, but in the meantime, the ongoing discussions and rumors are likely to capture the attention of fans and analysts alike.
