Will Lane Kiffin Leave Ole Miss? HC Gives Update on Decision Amid LSU Rumors
Following Friday's 38-19 win over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin said he has yet to make a decision on his coaching future.
When asked by ESPN's Taylor McGregor if he has made a choice between Ole Miss or LSU, Kiffin said, "No, I haven't. I've got a lot of praying to do to figure that out tomorrow."
Per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, Kiffin said his decision is "difficult no matter what," and added that he is "relieved" his players performed well Friday in order to avoid the "narrative" of being distracted by his situation.
Kiffin has been linked to the head coach openings at both LSU and Florida, although ESPN's Thamel and Mark Schlabach reported Friday that Florida has shifted its focus elsewhere, suggesting Kiffin is down to staying at Ole Miss or going to LSU.
Last week, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter told reporters that Kiffin would make an announcement regarding his coaching future on Saturday after Friday's Egg Bowl rivalry game.
Kiffin is in the midst of his sixth season as the Rebels' head coach after previous stops at Tennessee, USC and Florida Atlantic, as well as a brief stint as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
Under Kiffin, Ole Miss has won double-digit games four times, including each of the past three seasons.
Since the Rebels are ranked seventh in the College Football Playoff Top 25, Friday's win over Mississippi State essentially guaranteed them a spot in the CFP for the first time.
At 11-1 overall and 7-1 in the SEC, Ole Miss has far outperformed LSU this season, as the Tigers are 7-4 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
LSU fired Brian Kelly after a 5-3 start, opening up one of the most desirable jobs in college football.
While LSU is typically considered a better job than Ole Miss since the Tigers have won three national titles since 2003 and the Rebels last won a championship in 1962, Ole Miss has been a program on the rise under Kiffin.
If Kiffin opts to leave that behind in favor of LSU, On3.com's Pete Nakos reported that Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall could be a candidate to replace Kiffin at Ole Miss.
