What Did Lane Kiffin Say After Leaving Ole Miss for LSU? HC Discusses 'Difficult' Day

Lane Kiffin's time at Ole Miss has come to an end.

The former Rebels head coach announced Sunday his plans to take over as LSU's head coach. Before leaving Oxford, he caught up with ESPN's Marty Smith to discuss what he called a "difficult" day.

"This was a very challenging, difficult day," Kiffin said. "We went through a lot last night with (athletic director) Keith Carter, trying to figure out a way to make this Playoff run work and be able to coach the team. At the end of the day, that's his decision, and I totally respect that. I understand that decision. I totally wish the team the best of luck, wish that I was coaching, but understand this was a very challenging position for him and the chancellor to be in."

Kiffin received boos from fans at the airport, but he's hoping fans will appreciate his tenure once some time has passed.

"This has been a really special place," he said. "Six years here, I know that there's a lot of feelings and emotions right now around, I hope when they settle down that there's an appreciation about what we were able to do here and having the best run in the history of this school."

Kiffin was with the Rebels for six seasons, marking his longest stay with any team so far in his career. While staying put would have been the more comfortable move, some advice from his mentors led him to take the LSU job.

"This was really hard," he said. "My heart was here, but I talked to some mentors, Coach (Pete) Carroll, Coach (Nick) Saban and Coach Carroll said, 'Your dad would tell you to go, man. Take the shot. You accomplished a lot here.'"

He also said he felt accomplished with what he had done in Oxford.

"I always hated how I only gave one year to Tennessee and left," Kiffin said. "I really hated the feeling of that, even though it was an exciting year. But I think that we gave a lot to this program and to this city. Some of the most historic wins in this stadium we've ever had, the best regular season in the history of the school, so I feel proud of that part, but it just became time."

Kiffin was one of Ole Miss' most successful coaches in program history, posting four seasons with 10 or more wins and recording the school's first 11-win regular season in 2025.

The Rebels, who improved to 11-1 with Friday's win over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, are in position to compete in the College Football Playoff, but they'll have to do so without Kiffin on the sideline.

Ole Miss named defensive coordinator Pete Golding its head coach following Kiffin's exit.

Kiffin, 50, will earn $12 million annually on a seven-year deal with LSU, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel, making him one of college football's highest-paid head coaches.

Kiffin had Ole Miss looking like a championship contender this season but won't get the chance to compete for his first national championship following his exit. He'll now get a fresh start in Baton Rouge and will look to lead the Tigers back to the promised land.