Lane Kiffin had his turn at the final SEC head coach teleconference on Wednesday, and all the press wanted to talk about was his future with the Ole Miss Rebels and whether he has any desire to take a job with the Florida Gators or LSU Tigers.
The sixth-year skipper was reluctant to answer those queries and even got a little testy after the press continued to pressure him on the point. Dodging bullets like Neo in the Matrix, Kiffin managed to remain mum on the job situation, providing no more clarity than prior to the teleconference.
So what did Ole Miss’s coveted coach say? Take a look below at everything he had to offer in his final midweek teleconference of the 2025 campaign.
Lane Kiffin’s opening statement
“Yeah, so, it’s kinda second open date, so we’re treating it more like an open 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 11-1 and the best season in the history of the school. So, it’s been really good, so we’re just going to keep working and get ready to go down to Starkville.”
To what degree have you thought about what you want your career legacy to be?
“There’s a good one. I wasn’t ready for that. Kyle had me ready for some, but I wasn’t ready for that. I don’t know, 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 (Monte Kiffin) 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 the full answer, because you’re 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.”
Has Ole Miss asked you or your representation to provide them with clarity before the Egg Bowl?
“I’m gonna stay on what I’ve done for six years, which isn’t talking about other jobs and that situation. [Ole Miss athletic director] 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 the 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 — it’s amazing — and our players are, too. I see their joy about practice, season, where they’re at and have so much on the line. It’s just awesome to be a part of.”
Do you expect to coach next week as you’re preparing for this game?
“Do you know something I don’t know?”
I’m asking you …
“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 of how I would not expect to coach next week? ‘Why would I be at work?'”
Is there any situation in which you wouldn’t think you’d be coaching this team moving forward beyond next week?
“No, I don’t. I don’t — we’re gameplanning. I was just at practice. I don’t even understand how that would happen. So, must be missing something.”
What is your comfort level in the spotlight with this level of scrutiny?
“No, because I don’t really do — My schedule is the same. I wake up at four or five and go to yoga and come to the office all day long. I don’t really go anywhere. Probably, maybe what you’re thinking, like I would be like out there in the real world. I don’t go anywhere, so my day’s exactly the same.”
Did you speak to the Governor of Louisiana recently?
“I wouldn’t comment on that either way.”
When do you hope to have some clarity on your future with Ole Miss?
“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. 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 question is. 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.”
Is there a possibility you could take another job before the postseason?
“I’m not speaking about other jobs.”
Is it more flattering or overwhelming to be courted by three different schools and fan bases?
“It doesn’t feel good on this call. Somehow, it spun really negatively. I’ve said it before, if programs want your coach, 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 whatever, we’ve had three ten-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’s experienced 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.”
Does having grown kids change everything when you are faced with choices like this?
“I’m not going to comment on jobs. I would say this in fairness to the question; I do think people with time change, maybe when they’re younger you make very fast decisions, which I’ve gone on record and said that before, in life and situations, and I think as you get older and more mature and look at them different, maybe you take longer to make the proper decision. I would say that just in general.”
Was this bound to happen given the complications of the calendar and a head coach with a playoff contender and being courted by other schools?
“If a team wanted a playoff coach, this was bound to happen. I’m just looking at it from the outside, I’m not even talking about myself; I’m just looking at it as 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.
“Look at the Penn State quarterback a year ago and not letting him play and him having to go in. I would hope everyone in that situation was like, ‘Man, that’s a systematic issue’, a calendar issue. Yeah, the subject you are referring to, until something changes, is going to be an issue for years.”
What did your family learn on their trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge that could be informative as you make a decision?
“Like I said, I’m not talking on any speculation or stories of things having to do with other jobs. I’ve said that probably ten times. But I understand you have to ask them.”
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Lane Kiffin fields questions about job openings at SEC teleconference
