In a stunning turn of events, Lane Kiffin has announced he’s leaving Ole Miss to take the head coaching job at LSU. This comes fresh off Ole Miss’s big 39-19 win over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, a victory that basically locked in a College Football Playoff spot for the Rebels.
Kiffin’s decision to leave, after such a successful run at Ole Miss, has left the college football world a bit stunned. There’s a lot of curiosity—and maybe even a bit of anxiety—about what happens next for both programs.
Lane Kiffin’s Departure from Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin’s exit for LSU has sent shockwaves through the college football community. He just led Ole Miss to an 11-1 regular season, so the timing is, honestly, wild.
Even though Kiffin wanted to guide the Rebels through the playoffs, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter didn’t let him stick around. That Egg Bowl win turned out to be his last game with the team.
Reasons Behind the Move
This move isn’t just about the money, though LSU definitely offered more than his $9 million a year at Ole Miss. LSU brings a lot to the table—championship history, world-class facilities, and a fan base that borders on obsessive.
The chance to coach in Tiger Stadium—Death Valley—was a huge draw for Kiffin. LSU’s willingness to invest in the football program, including player compensation, made the decision even easier for him.
Impact on Ole Miss
Now, Ole Miss has to navigate a transition. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding has been named interim head coach, which players and folks inside the athletic department pretty much expected.
Golding played for Ole Miss back in the day and spent years as a top defensive assistant at Alabama under Nick Saban. The hope is he’ll keep things steady and keep the Rebels rolling after Kiffin’s exit.
Golding’s New Role
Pete Golding steps in to lead a historic Ole Miss team—the first in school history to win 11 regular-season games. He’s familiar with the program and has a solid track record as a defensive coordinator, so the choice makes sense.
His main challenge? Keeping up the momentum Kiffin built and guiding Ole Miss through the College Football Playoff. No pressure, right?
Kiffin’s Legacy at Ole Miss
In six seasons at Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin racked up a 55-19 record. That’s one of the best runs in program history.
He put together an 11-1 season, took down top-ranked teams, and turned Ole Miss into a real contender again. His knack for offense and developing players was a huge part of that turnaround.
Comparisons to Past Coaches
Kiffin’s success gets compared to Johnny Vaught, the legend who went 57-6 over six years from 1957 to 1962. Vaught is still the gold standard at Ole Miss, but Kiffin’s run was impressive in its own right.
Now, with him gone, there’s a pretty big void—and the program has to figure out how to build on what he started.
LSU’s Coaching History and Expectations
LSU has a pretty storied coaching history. Three of their last four head coaches—Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron—all won national championships.
Kiffin steps into a job with sky-high expectations. LSU wants to get back to the top, and fast.
Previous Coaches’ Success
- Nick Saban: National title in 2003, 48-16 record in five years.
- Les Miles: Won it all in 2007, went 114-34 overall.
- Ed Orgeron: 51-20 record, including a perfect 15-0 and a national championship in 2019.
Brian Kelly was the only recent coach who didn’t bring home a title. He was let go in his fourth season after going 34-14. Kiffin’s challenge is clear: match the success of those who came before and deliver another championship to Baton Rouge.
Looking Ahead
With Kiffin moving on to LSU, everyone’s going to be watching how both programs adjust. For Ole Miss, it’s about keeping the standard high and seeing if Pete Golding can steer the ship.
For LSU, it’s all about what Kiffin can do with the Tigers—and whether he can bring another national title to Death Valley. Should be interesting, to say the least.
For more details on Lane Kiffin’s acceptance of the head coaching position at LSU and his departure from Ole Miss, you can read the full article on NFL.com.
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