There have been conflicting reports on whether LSU head coach Lane Kiffin plans to attend the Sugar Bowl matchup between his Ole Mis squad and Georgia. On3 initially reported that Kiffin was expected to attend, but the latest college football news indicates the coach has had a change of heart.
“Several people at Ole Miss and LSU expect Kiffin to attend the Sugar Bowl, perhaps with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry,” On3’s Chris Low wrote in a December 31, 2025, story titled, “Ole Miss team leaders: Lane Kiffin’s exit and the way it went down strengthened the Rebels’ bond.”
“Sources told On3 that Kiffin has even reached out to ESPN personnel about possibly appearing in the broadcast booth for a segment during the game, although sources say ESPN hasn’t been receptive.”
Baton Rouge is just a short drive to New Orleans where Ole Miss is playing. Yet, less than 24 hours later, Kiffin appears to have had a change of heart and will instead attend the LSU women’s basketball game against Kentucky.
Here’s the latest news on whether Kiffin will attend the Ole Miss-Georgia game.
LSU HC Lane Kiffin Is No Longer Expected to Attend the Sugar Bowl Between Ole Miss vs. Georgia
Both games are set to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern prompting Kiffin to have to make a decision between the two sporting events. Kiffin was not expected to get the warmest welcome from Ole Miss fans if the team’s former coach attended the Sugar Bowl.
“(Lane Kiffin) is expected to attend @LSUwbkb SEC opener at the PMAC tonight vs @KentuckyWBB, per LSU,” WAFB TV’s Jacques Doucet reported on January 1, 2026. “Kiffin eager to see @KimMulkey and her No. 5 Tigers on the floor.”
Players Told the Ole Miss Not to Allow Lane Kiffin to Continue Coaching in CFP Despite His Claim
There was a growing debate between the picture Kiffin painted amid his Ole Miss exit and how the players actually felt. Kiffin publicly claimed that Ole Miss players wanted the coach to be able to continue coaching the team throughout the College Football Playoff, even after taking the LSU job.
While this may have been true for some, there appears to have been a group of Ole Miss players who did not want Kiffin to remain on the sideline.
“From a leadership standpoint, we felt like it was best to not have someone in that position leading our team if they were not going to be our coach the following year,” Ole Miss linebacker Tyler Banks explained to Low. “We felt like anybody that was leaving as a head coach couldn’t be a true leader in that moment. What we needed was somebody that was concrete, somebody who was going to be there and wasn’t already somewhere else in their mind.
“It wasn’t easy for anybody, but from a leadership standpoint, we felt like that’s what was best for us. You start from the top down in any hierarchy, and if the top’s not there, he can’t lead.”
Despite the latest reports, it would not be a major surprise if Kiffin had yet another change of heart and attended the Ole Miss-Georgia contest.
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