Lane Kiffin has firmly positioned himself as the leading candidate for head coaching positions at both Florida and LSU, following the recent dismissals of Billy Napier and Brian Kelly. This development has heightened speculation about whether Ole Miss can retain Kiffin, who is in his sixth season at the helm of the Rebels and has guided them to a strong 7-1 record so far this year, placing them at No. 7 in the current college football rankings.
ESPN’s college football insider Pete Thamel discussed the situation on “College Football Live,” stating that Kiffin’s performance at Ole Miss has been remarkable. However, he indicated that the allure of coaching at either Florida or LSU is challenging to resist. Thamel noted that Kiffin’s career trajectory will be intriguing to watch over the final two months of the season, especially if Ole Miss continues its current winning streak and secures a playoff berth.
Nick Saban also weighed in, acknowledging Kiffin’s prominence as a top choice for the vacant coaching positions. While Saban recognized the potential benefits of moving to Florida or LSU, he questioned whether those jobs could be considered better than Kiffin’s existing position at Ole Miss. According to Saban, Kiffin has significant support from the Ole Miss administration, likely providing him with the resources needed to succeed, which may not be as readily available at the other programs.
Meanwhile, potential other candidates like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule have recently signed contract extensions, eliminating them from consideration for these upcoming coaching vacancies. As the coaching carousel spins, Ole Miss faces an imperative to bolster its offerings to keep Kiffin, whose success has ignited optimism in the Rebels’ fanbase. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Kiffin’s choices and the implications for the future of college football coaching.