Lane Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss has created an unusual dilemma for the Rebels. On3’s Brett McMurphy reported this week that Ole Miss might consider removing Kiffin as head coach before the College Football Playoff if he decides to leave for another job.
The question centers on whether Ole Miss would let Kiffin coach the team’s playoff games while he’s planning to take a job at Florida or LSU.
McMurphy’s report highlighted a rare precedent from college basketball. In 1989, Michigan fired basketball coach Bill Frieder just days before the NCAA Tournament after Frieder agreed to take the Arizona State job. Athletic director Bo Schembechler promoted assistant Steve Fisher and made his famous declaration: “I want a Michigan man to coach Michigan.”
The Wolverines won the national championship that year.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter could face a similar decision. Does he prioritize program loyalty over Kiffin’s coaching ability in a potential playoff run?
Industry officials remain split on the approach. McMurphy spoke with dozens of athletic directors and college football insiders. The majority said they wouldn’t allow a departing coach to stay through the postseason.
But a Twitter poll told a different story.
56% of respondents said they’d keep Kiffin coaching the playoff games. Only 39% said Ole Miss should move on immediately.
The situation puts Ole Miss in uncharted territory. Kiffin’s decision about his future will determine whether the Rebels face this unprecedented choice.
The timing couldn’t be more complicated with College Football Playoff preparation underway.
