Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram Provide Strong Opinions on Lane Kiffin's Future

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Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram Provide Strong Opinions on Lane Kiffin's Future

Highlights

  • Urban Meyer and Mark Ingram both believe Lane Kiffin is most likely to leave Ole Miss for LSU.
  • Ingram said LSU’s power brokers are prepared to make an all-out push for Kiffin, calling the Tigers “a program who is not playing.”
  • Meyer argued Kiffin’s decision won’t hinge on salary but on which school offers him the best roster-building and national-title path.

With rivalry weekend approaching and the coaching carousel already beginning to heat up, Lane Kiffin’s name has quickly become one of the biggest storylines in college football. The Ole Miss head coach is reportedly in play for both the Florida and LSU openings, all while keeping the Rebels in contention for a College Football Playoff berth.

On the Triple Option podcast, co-hosts Urban Meyer and Mark Ingram broke down where they think Kiffin ultimately lands, and both leaned heavily toward Baton Rouge.

“He’s in Baton Rouge,” Ingram said. “I don’t like Baton Rouge. I don’t like LSU either.”

Meyer immediately echoed that sentiment.

“That’s kind of what I’m hearing too,” Meyer said.

While Florida remains a legitimate contender, Ingram said the dynamic shifted the moment LSU opened. He described LSU as a program operating with full force behind its search, backed by political and financial heavyweights throughout the state.

“I heard it was Florida, that was before LSU opened,” Ingram said. “LSU is a program who is not playing. They’re going to throw the kitchen sink at whoever they want and try to get him there.”

He pointed to the governor and key donors as central figures expected to “pony up” whatever it takes to bring Kiffin to Baton Rouge.

Meyer agreed LSU appears to be the frontrunner but framed the decision through a different lens. He believes Kiffin’s choice won’t come down to personal salary, but to competitive upside.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with money,” Meyer said. “I think it has to do with winning. Now is his chance… I think he’s just negotiating the most expensive roster for the next five, six, seven years.”

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Urban Meyer looks on during the second half the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

For Meyer, the biggest factor is which school can provide Kiffin with the NIL resources and roster depth necessary to compete for a national championship. He believes dollars in Kiffin’s own contract won’t be the priority.

“One school offers you $14 million, you get an offer at $13. That just means more to charity, more to your children, that’s fine,” Meyer said. “But this is about winning the national title, what’s going to put him in the best position to win that. Only he can figure that out.”

Whether Kiffin stays at Ole Miss or opts for one of the SEC powerhouses, the Rebels will be in action Friday as they travel to take on Mississippi State. Kickoff between the Bulldogs and Rebels is set for 12:00 p.m. ET.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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