One of the most unusual storylines of the 2025 college football season is the fact that Lane Kiffin won’t be coaching Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff, even though the Rebels are competing in the CFP. That alone would be eyebrow-raising, but in this case, the context is extraordinary: Kiffin left Ole Miss days before the CFP run began to take the head coaching job at rival LSU, triggering a cascade of controversy and consequences that continue to reverberate through Oxford and across the SEC.
This isn’t just a coaching change; it’s a seismic shift that has affected recruiting, staff alignment, team morale, and how Rebel fans view this historic playoff season.
Here’s a closer look at why Kiffin isn’t on the Ole Miss sidelines and how the Rebels are handling his absence.
A Historic Moment for Ole Miss
Ole Miss’ CFP appearance represents a landmark achievement for the program. The Rebels finished the regular season 11-1, marking just the second 11-win season in program history, and narrowly missed a berth in the SEC Championship Game.
Kiffin’s offensive vision and program-building efforts were central to that rise. Over six seasons, he turned Ole Miss into a consistent SEC contender, capable of beating top-tier opponents and sustaining national relevance. Yet the timing of his departure has overshadowed what should be a celebratory moment.
Two days after Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, Kiffin publicly announced his decision to leave Oxford and accept the head coaching job at LSU–one of Ole Miss’ most significant conference rivals. That announcement set off a chain of events that ultimately removed him from the Rebels’ CFP run.
Why Ole Miss Said No to Kiffin Coaching the CFP
Kiffin requested permission to continue coaching Ole Miss through the College Football Playoff. He later explained that he tried “every single thing possible” to remain with the team through the postseason.
Ole Miss declined.
From the university’s perspective, the situation was fundamentally different from other CFP coaching transitions. While some coaches have remained with teams after taking new jobs, those moves typically involve a jump from the Group of Five to a Power Four conference–not a move within the SEC, and certainly not to a direct rival.
Allowing a newly hired LSU head coach to lead Ole Miss through the CFP raised concerns about optics, competitive integrity, and program stability. Administrators ultimately decided that the Rebels’ postseason run needed a coach fully committed to Ole Miss’ future, not one already planning the next chapter in Baton Rouge.
Pete Golding Takes Over at a Critical Moment
Ole Miss moved quickly to install defensive coordinator Pete Golding as the program’s full-time head coach. Golding immediately emphasized continuity rather than upheaval.
“I told [the players] I view myself as an interim head coach right now,” Golding said. “We’re not going to reinvent the wheel. This thing was headed in the right direction.”
Golding’s task is monumental. Not only is he guiding Ole Miss through its first CFP appearance, but he’s doing so amid the emotional aftermath of a high-profile coaching departure. His message to the team has centered on maintaining focus and honoring the work already done.
After defeating Tulane in the first round, the Rebels advanced to face No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans with a spot in the CFP semifinals on the line.
Why Kiffin Chose LSU – And Why It Changed Everything
At his introductory news conference, Kiffin described LSU as “different,” explaining that the opportunity, combined with time spent with family and reflection, led him to make the move.
“This place is different. Having watched this place for a long time and from the other sideline. This place is different, and that’s why we’re here,” Kiffin said.
He acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Ole Miss, noting that he would always cherish his six years in Oxford and continue rooting for the Rebels. But once the decision was made public, the separation became unavoidable.
Kiffin’s move wasn’t just another coaching change. It was a shift within the SEC power structure, and Ole Miss’ leadership treated it as such.
“… While I am looking forward to a new start with a unique opportunity at LSU, I will forever cherish the incredible six years I spent at Ole Miss and will be rooting hard for the team to complete their mission and bring a championship to Oxford.”
Despite the abrupt ending, Kiffin leaves Ole Miss with one of the strongest resumes in program history. Over six seasons, he compiled a 55-19 record, including bowl appearances in five years and three seasons with double-digit wins.
Year by year, the Rebels steadily improved:
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2020: 5-5
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2021: 10-3
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2022: 8-5
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2023: 11-2
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2024: 10-3
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2025: 11-1
Tampering Concerns After Kiffin’s Exit
Kiffin’s departure didn’t just raise questions about timing; it stirred concerns off the field as well. According to a Sports Illustrated article, Ole Miss officials have expressed unease about potential tampering following Kiffin’s move to LSU, particularly regarding efforts by the Tigers to engage with Ole Miss players connected to Kiffin’s coaching staff.
“It’s unfortunate what has been going on with our players and their former head coach and staff,” Walker Jones, Ole Miss NIL collective director, said. “Having to deal with the pressure of making future decisions while trying to prepare for a playoff run is not a sustainable model.
“Yes, does a bad calendar and lack of true oversight hurt? Of course. But so does poor character and lack of respect for your former employer and players. That being said, we are prepared and effectively dealing with this first-of-its-kind, complicated situation.”
While such concerns are not uncommon amid the modern transfer portal era and high-stakes recruiting landscape, the context here is unique: a head coach leaves for a direct conference rival midseason, and whispers of contact with players naturally drew scrutiny. Rebels administrators reportedly watched closely as staff members tied to Kiffin’s offensive system shifted allegiances, fearing that informal recruiting conversations could influence player movement before the CFP.
“You think Lane is minding his own business and meditating? Come on. I think there are kids he’ll try to get from Ole Miss,” Matt Bowers, an Ole Miss alum and booster, said.
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