Why Lane Kiffin said decision between Ole Miss, LSU took so long to make
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Lane Kiffin‘s first interview since leaving Ole Miss football to be the LSU coach revealed a range of new information, including what took him so long to decide, why he didn’t attend the team’s meeting and advice he got from two mentors.
Kiffin was hired as the LSU coach on Nov. 30 after six seasons with the Rebels. Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding as Kiffin’s replacement.
Kiffin did an interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith at University-Oxford Airport before he left for LSU.
As for why it took so long to make a decision, Kiffin gave a long answer that included his appreciation for Ole Miss and Oxford. He also mentioned his father, Monte Kiffin, who died in July 2024.
Kiffin had been tied to the LSU job opening for weeks, along with Florida.
“It was really difficult,” Kiffin said. “This has been a really special place. Six years here. I know that there’s a lot of feelings and emotions right now around. I hope when they settle down, there’s an appreciation about what we were able to do here having the best run that’s ever been done in the history of the school.
“We brought some exciting times. I’m so appreciative to the people of Oxford and the relationships that I developed here.
“When I spoke at my dad’s funeral, we moved 17 times. I realized when I got all the letters, calls and people showed up from around all those different spots. NC State, all the different spots he coached. They said he was able to impact them and how much that meant to them. I’ve really strived since that day to impact people and help people through life and my journey. I just prayed a lot and made a family decision, and hopefully I get a chance to go impact a new set of people.”
My interview with @Lane_Kiffin prior to his departure from Oxford to Baton Rouge.
•Why he chose LSU over Ole Miss
•Why he wasn’t in Sunday’s Ole Miss team meeting
•His response to not coaching Ole Miss in the playoff
•Why this took so long
•Peter Carroll’s important msg pic.twitter.com/GfBkE7fnHU— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) December 1, 2025
Lane Kiffin reveals why he wasn’t at Ole Miss team meeting
The Rebels had a team meeting at the practice facility before Kiffin announced that he was leaving for LSU.
Kiffin told ESPN that it was Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter’s decision for Kiffin not to attend. Kiffin had expressed an interest in coaching Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff.
“He asked me not to come to the meeting and said I couldn’t come, which I totally understand,” Kiffin said. “I don’t know if I necessarily agree that we’re trying to find a way to make this work and coach the team and give the team the best chance to win. But also, he’s got a job to do.
“Like he said, he has to live here. Maybe all the national people understand why he should let me coach, but he has to live here and it’s a little different when you’re the AD. Keith has been amazing to us over the six years.”
Lane Kiffin spoke with Nick Saban, Pete Carroll
Kiffin mentioned two people he spoke to while making his decision: former Alabama coach Nick Saban and current Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll. It seems that something Carroll told Kiffin helped sway him to LSU.
“Especially when Coach Carroll said, ‘Hey, your dad will tell you to go,'” Kiffin said. “Take the shot.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Lane Kiffin reveals why LSU, Ole Miss decision took so long to make
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