Lane Kiffin insists he has ‘a lot of praying to do” before deciding if he is going to leave Ole Miss for LSU, but he appears to be prepared for either choice.
But multiple reports are giving insight into where Kiffin’s mind is with a monumental choice to make.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay wrote late Friday night on X that, “Kiffin’s decision is apparently made, I was just told. Tomorrow’s gonna be a wild day..”
Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin embraces chancellor Glenn Boyce after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Add to that a report by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that Kiffin is already lining up his coaching staff at LSU and things may not look great for the Rebels.
Florio didn’t go as far as to say this was proof Kiffin was bolting for Baton Rouge, but just that he was “putting the pieces in place” in the event that he does decide to be the Tigers’ head coach.
What makes the decision so complicated for Kiffin is that the University of Mississippi won its 11th game of the season on Friday after defeating rival Mississippi State 38-19 in the Egg Bowl and is among the favorites to win the national championship.
The 50-year-old coach, who has been at Ole Miss for six seasons, told the ABC broadcast that he was going to figure out his future on Saturday.
“There’s a lot into it,” Kiffin said during his postgame press conference. “It’s a hard decision. You guys have them all the time. You’ve got to make decisions about jobs you take and where you move and we get paid a lot so I understand we’re under a lot of spotlight and scrutiny.”
Kiffen also confronted a reporter who called him a ‘ho‘.
Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts with wide receiver Deuce Alexander (11) in the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
LSU needs a coach after firing Brian Kelly and has already discussed a seven-year, $90 million pact with Kiffin. Ole Miss said it would match any offer made to Kiffin.
He lost one potential suitor when Florida shifted its focus to Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, per On3, after ESPN reported the Gators sensed irregular communication from Kiffin.
The one thing that is certain is Ole Miss will be going to the College Football playoff, and if it is not Kiffin coaching them, former Giants coach Joe Judge, the Rebels’ quarterbacks coach, is likely to take over as the interim coach, according to ESPN.