LSU AD doesn't blame Ole Miss for not letting Kiffin coach playoff

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As Lane Kiffin emerged as the leading candidate in LSU football's coaching search, there was a question as to whether Kiffin would coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff. The Rebels were 11-1 and a lock for the CFP. As the story goes, Kiffin wanted to accept the LSU job and coach Ole Miss.

Ole Miss AD Keith Carter and Kiffin didn't see eye to eye. Kiffin took the LSU job and Pete Golding took over Ole Miss, coaching the Rebels in the playoff.

If Kiffin were in a similar situation at LSU, LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry would have made the same decision as Carter.

“I’d probably be like, ‘Nah, we ain’t doing that. No, but that hand wasn’t dealt," Ausberry said in an interview with USA TODAY Sports.

Kiffin's Ole Miss exit was messy. Leaving a team just before the playoff was unprecedented. Shortly after Kiffin's hire, Ausberry said LSU had no issue with Kiffin coaching the playoff at Ole Miss. That makes sense from LSU's perspective, but Aussberry understands the choice Carter made.

“I know LSU would’ve made the same decision. I don’t blame anybody," Ausberry said.

Kiffin's depature from Ole Miss to LSU has rejuvenated the rivalry. The Tigers and Rebels will meet on September 19 in one of the most anticipated games on the 2026 college football schedule.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU AD would do the same thing as Ole Miss in Kiffin's playoff standoff

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