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mark schlabach
New Orleans–as number 6 ole miss celebrated its historic win 39-34 against number 3 Georgia Heading into Thursday’s CFP quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl, the shadow of former coach Lane Kiffin loomed over the program.
It’s unclear how many Ole Miss assistants are joining Joe Kiffin, sources told ESPN Thursday night. LSUHe will be allowed to remain with the rebels when they face Number 10 miami next Thursday in the CFP Semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weise Jr., tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald and running backs coach Kevin Smith have all signed contracts to coach with Kiffin at LSU.
With the transfer portal opening on Friday, sources told ESPN the Rebels are not sure they will have all these assistants when they play the Hurricanes in six days.
A source said some assistants have apparently insisted on leaving an Ole Miss team that is two wins away from winning a national championship.
“There’s going to be some fireworks,” an Ole Miss source told ESPN. “We always knew this could be a possibility.”
Of the assistants who are heading to LSU, only Weis flew back to Oxford with the Rebels after Thursday’s game. After the Rebels’ win, sources told ESPN that Weis was expected to coach in the Fiesta Bowl. But sources also said plans were being made for other LSU assistants to return to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to help the Tigers prepare to host a host of prospects in the transfer portal this weekend.
Kiffin, who was named LSU’s coach on Nov. 30, did not immediately respond to a text message from ESPN Friday morning.
Former defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who was named Kiffin’s replacement just hours after Kiffin’s sudden departure, has coached the Rebels to both CFP victories.
The prospective LSU coach returned to Ole Miss to help lead the Rebels to a 41–10 win against No. 11 Tulane in a CFP first-round game on December 20 in Oxford, Mississippi. He was also in New Orleans this week as the Rebels prepared to play Georgia.
Senior analyst/pass game specialist Dan Stevens and graduate assistant Sawyer Jordan, who helps with slot receivers, are also headed to LSU.
Kiffin considered attending the Sugar Bowl, and lobbied to appear on “College GameDay” or another program during the ESPN game broadcast. She skipped the Sugar Bowl to attend LSU’s women’s basketball game Thursday night.
After considering job offers from Florida, Florida State and LSU for several weeks, Kiffin asked Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce and athletic director Keith Carter to allow him to coach the Rebels in the CFP even if he took another job.
Sources previously told ESPN that Boyce and Carter made it clear throughout the process that Kiffin would not coach in the CFP if he moved to another school.
In a social media post, Kiffin said that the Ole Miss administration rejected his request “despite the team asking them to allow me to continue coaching so they can better maintain their high level of performance.” Some Ole Miss players disputed Kiffin’s statement on social media.
Senior defensive tackle after Rebels beat Bulldogs to win second CFP game in school history zaxavian harris That said, Kiffin was again trying to steal the spotlight from one of the greatest teams in Ole Miss history.
“Yeah, he was just trying to steal our shine,” Harris said. “That’s all he’s trying to do. That’s all he’s trying to do is steal our shine.”
Harris said Kiffin’s sudden departure from Ole Miss in the middle of their CFP run was a “slap in the face”.
“Like a slap and a backhand,” Harris said. “He was trying to be a troll. We’re going to troll him. We’ve got something for him.”
