Lane Kiffin peppered with coaching job questions on SEC teleconference call

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In case you didn’t know, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is a hot commodity in college coaching circles at the moment.

Reportedly being courted by both LSU and Florida, the sixth-year Rebels head coach is currently overseeing a 10-1 team ranked No. 6 in the nation and is on the verge of making its first College Football Playoff appearance. Kiffin, who has always declined to comment on job speculation and contract talks, was asked several related questions on Wednesday’s SEC teleconference call. Here is everything he said.

Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC) is off this week and finishes the regular season at Mississippi State on Nov. 28.

Opening remarks

“Yeah so, it’s kind of a second open date, so we’re treating it more like a normal practice week and working on the opponent and getting a head start. So, that’s been good. Our players have had great energy and physicalness at practice. I think they realize how much is at stake here now that they’re 10-1 with a chance to go to 11-1 and the best season in the history of the school. And so, it’s been really, really good. So, we’re just going to keep working, get ready to go down to Starkville.”

Q: Hey Lane. As you navigate this stay-or-go process, to what degree have you thought about what you want your career legacy to be?

“That was a good one, Blake. I was not ready for that. … I don’t know, that’s – I would have to have more time to think about that to make a public statement on that. I love that – I feel like my story, what I’ve gone through, my experiences, are able to impact people. And I remember speaking at my dad’s funeral, and so many people from so many places sending cards, coming down saying things about his impact on them. And I was like, ‘God, that’s what I hope for.’ So, I guess I don’t have a full answer, because you were probably thinking more of coaching. I’m thinking more of the legacy that you leave with the people you connect with and the ability to help them through things."

Q: Has Ole Miss asked you or your representation to provide them with clarity before the Egg Bowl on where you intend to coach next season?

“Yeah, I’m not going to – I’m going to stay with what I’ve done for six years, which isn’t talk about other jobs and that situation. Keith (Carter) and I, I’ve seen him twice already today. Keith and I have a great relationship, we communicate daily on a lot of things. And I love it here, and it’s been amazing and we’re in a season that’s the greatest run in the history of Ole Miss, at this point, having never been at this point. So, I think it’s really exciting. I think Saturday night was amazing and so, I’m just living in the moment, that it’s amazing. And our players are, too. I see their joy about the practice season, where they’re at and have so much on the line, it’s just awesome to be a part of.”

Q: Lane, do you expect to coach next week as you prepare for this game?

“Do you know something I don’t know? … Do I expect to coach next week? Why would I not expect to coach next week? I mean, I expected to coach against Florida, too. So, I don’t even understand the question, how I would not expect to coach next week? Why would I be at work?"

Q: Is there any reason you wouldn’t see yourself in any situation in which you wouldn’t think you’d be coaching this team moving forward beyond next week?

“No. I don’t – I mean, we’re game planning, we just practiced. I don’t even understand how that would happen. So, unless I’m missing something.”

Q: Well, I guess bad timing for my question, coach. I was going to ask you about your comfort level in the spotlight and with this level of scrutiny … I guess it kind of is what it is right now, when you’re this famous and sought after. Is life a little different? Do you have to manage things a little bit differently right now?

“No, because I don’t really do – my schedule’s the same. I mean, wake up around 4 or 5 and go to yoga and come to the office all day long. I don’t really go anywhere. Maybe what you’re thinking like I would be out there in the real world. I don’t go anywhere. So, my day’s exactly the same."

Q: Hey Lane, there are conflicting reports, I was going to give you a chance to set the record straight, that you spoke with the governor of Louisiana here pretty recently. Did that or did that not happen?

“Yeah, I wouldn’t comment on that either way.”

Q: I was just going to ask, when do you hope to have some clarity, provide some clarity on your future with Ole Miss and also the other parties that are seeking your services at this moment?

“Like I said, I’ve been saying the same thing for six years: I’m not talking about, speaking on other jobs. I’m focused on this one and, I guess that’s kind of spiraling off the question before like, ‘Are you coaching in the game?’ I don’t even understand what the – I don’t even understand what the question is. Like, of course I’m coaching, I mean unless you guys know something I don’t or I’m getting fired and I don’t know it.”

Q: Is there a possibility you could take another job before the postseason?

“I’m not speaking on other jobs.”

Q: Lane, a little bit easier one, but is it more flattering or overwhelming to be courted by three different fanbases, three different schools, three different entities?

“It doesn’t feel good on this call. … I said it before, if programs want your coach, OK, that should be looked at as an amazing thing and a great thing by your fans. So if programs want your coach because you’re 10-1, and … (have) three 10-win seasons in a row, which has never been done at Ole Miss before, is that a good thing? That other programs want your coach because your program is experiencing success it’s never had? Or would you rather be 5-6 or 6-5 or something right now and no one wants your coach? I would look at it from that perspective.”

Q: When you have nearly grown kids or probably think they’re grown, does that change everything when you’re posed with choices like this? I think it seems a lot easier when they’re little to up and move than maybe when they’re older.

“Yeah I’m not going to comment on jobs. I would say this though, in fairness to the question, I do think that people with time change and, maybe when they’re younger you make really fast decisions – which I’ve gone on record, said that before – in life, and in situations. And I think as you get older and more mature and look at things different, maybe you take longer to make the proper decision. I would say that, just in general.”

Q: Lane, was this kind of bound to happen with the complications of the calendar and a head coach with a playoff contender and being courted by other schools? Was this bound to happen with the 12-team playoff?

“Yeah, I mean if a team wanted a playoff coach, this was bound to happen. So this is a really – I’m just looking at it as outside, I’m not talking about myself, I’m just looking at as like you guys are – there’s a systematical problem. And it used to be players were in it, and they still are a little bit with the portal timing and playoffs and all those things, and look at the Penn State quarterback a year ago and not letting him play and him having to go in. And I would hope everybody in that situation was like, ‘Man, that’s a systematical issue, calendar issue.' So yeah, this subject that you’re referring to is probably, until something changes, going to be an issue for years, you know?”

Q: Lane, what did your family learn on its trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge that could be informative as you make a decision?

“Yeah like I said, I’m not getting in on any speculation or stories of things having to do with other jobs. I’ve said that about 10 times, but I understand why you have to ask them.”

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