-
Dan Wetzel
In January 2017, just a few days ago alabama played CLEMSON To the national championship, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban originally removed Their offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin.
Officially it was because Kiffin accepted it Florida Atlantic The head coaching job had created a “distraction”.
However, in reality, Kiffin had worn out his welcome so much that Saban, a man who hated any interruption in anything, was willing to abandon his playcaller before the biggest game of the season. (Alabama would lose to Clemson, although Saban, of course, said Kiffin’s departure played no role.)
And now that same Lane Kiffin, with his number 7 ole miss rebels With the College Football Playoff fast approaching and rival SEC programs trying to send Brink’s truck to Oxford to woo him, college football could be the highlight.
However, at the time, Kiffin was mostly its court jester – brilliant but immature, talented but self-destructive. It seemed he was destined to perish in Conference USA purgatory.
Kiffin’s father, Monte, was a renowned defensive coordinator and Lane became the coach of the Oakland Raiders at only 31 years old. By the age of 33, he was a former coach, with owner Al Davis claiming he was “frauded” into ever being hired. His tenure is mostly notable for Sebastian Janikowski’s 76-yard field goal attempt. (It wasn’t close.)
he spent a year at university TennesseeThat’s long enough to warrant a fine and reprimand from the SEC for his actions, not to mention full recruitment deportation By Florida High School.
Nevertheless, his departure USC There was so much anger in Knoxville that the City Council considered a proposal to name the wastewater treatment plant the “Lane Kiffin Sewage Center.”
He stayed at USC for more than three seasons before leaving shot at the airport On returning from loss. Working for Saban led to a reboot, but he now admits he was drinking too much and not being particularly close to his children. Then Saban also got tired of him.
And yet here we are, in 2025, with Kiffin not only in the top 10, but at the top of every dream coaching candidate’s list who could make millions with buyout money.
He parlayed two 11-win seasons at FAU into the Ole Miss job in 2020 and now the Rebels are moving on. He’s especially cool and surrounded by his children – daughter Landry attends Ole Miss and son Knox is a local high school star. Daughter Presley plays volleyball at USC.
He still trolls everyone on social media, but he also provides motivational verses and wisdom about mental health.
The man has lived half a dozen different lives, yet he is still only 50 years old and at the peak of his coaching career.
Kiffin finally achieved his potential, that’s not why SEC programs do LSU, Florida And arkansas They’ve already committed a collective $84 million to firing their head coaches.
But they all hope he will answer their call.
Florida State And golden brown color For this opportunity they may even leave their own people.
Or he could renegotiate with Ole Miss for some untold luck and try to do what was previously thought impossible: win a national title at Oxford.
Kiffin was once a job seeker, an opportunity seeker. After all, Tennessee wasn’t that good. Now? Probably not. He talks about balance and family and comfort.
This is all for Ole Miss, which is naturally worried that the lures at LSU and Florida – and more resources – will sway it.
Also on the side of the rebels? Kiffin is doing Very Good job. If Ole Miss makes the playoff, that ties it over until at least December 19 or 20, when first-round games will be played, or even longer if the Rebels get a bye.
To leave, Kiffin would either have to leave his current team (highly unlikely) or a major power would be waiting patiently (also unlikely). And if the rebels continue to advance, the transfer portal will remain open from January 2-12. The playoffs will continue till January 19. How will this work?
Whatever decision Kiffin makes, he’s turned into one of college football’s most interesting characters, if not the best pure coach for the current era. Yes, he is more focused now as cocktail lounges no longer play a role in his life, but the game has also moved towards him.
It’s the transfer market that matters these days, which means Ole Miss’s relative (compared to SEC giants) lack of money, history and recruiting prowess matters less. Attracting and identifying talented and hungry transfers matters more.
Kiffin dubbed himself the “Portal King” for a reason.
After all, it was the Ole Miss coaching staff (led by offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.) who spent last April Scoring Division II Tape Search for hidden talent only finds Ferris State quarterback trinidad chamblis,
They attacked and beat out Temple for a player who is now a Heisman Trophy contender.
LSU offers a talent-rich recruiting field, state passion (was upon the dismissal of Louisiana Governor Brian Kelly) and a track record of national titles. Florida is a big, rich program with its own championship ring. Once upon a time, this would have sealed the deal for one of them.
But Ole Miss offers grass that may be greener enough, especially in an era when what you do matters more than where you do it.
That means all eyes are on Lane Kiffin – his team and their future. Once known for his firing, he has college football in his hands.
