In a dramatic turn of events that highlighted the starkly different paths of a team and its former leader, the Ole Miss Rebels football programme and ex-coach Lane Kiffin moved forward separately on Thursday. While Kiffin was being introduced to applause at his new home, Louisiana State University, his former players secured a monumental victory 80 miles away.
A Sweet Victory in New Orleans
The Ole Miss Rebels, under interim coach Pete Golding, pulled off a stunning last-minute win against the No. 3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. The final score was pushed to 39-34 by a last-second safety, cementing a historic performance in New Orleans. This victory improves Ole Miss's record to an impressive 13-1 and books their place in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Rebels are now set to face the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8 in Glendale, Arizona. This remarkable postseason run comes after Kiffin's controversial departure, with former defensive coordinator Golding steering the team to a first-round CFP win over Tulane and now this signature victory over Georgia.
Kiffin's New Beginning in Baton Rouge
As his former team celebrated, Lane Kiffin was formally welcomed into the LSU family. The 50-year-old coach, who famously left Ole Miss on November 30 to accept a seven-year, $91 million deal with the Tigers, was a guest of honour at an LSU women's basketball game.
Kiffin and Lady Tigers coach Kim Mulkey walked onto the court hand-in-hand, where he received a warm reception from fans. Mulkey later stated, 'He was very gracious to come over here and let the LSU fans acknowledge him.' She also noted the timing of his visit, with the college football transfer portal opening the next day.
Kiffin's move represents a significant financial step up, from $9 million per season at Ole Miss to an average of $13 million annually at LSU. The deal also includes assurances of strong financial backing for team talent.
Fractured Relationships and Postseason Drama
The split between Kiffin and Ole Miss was far from amicable. Kiffin had expressed a desire to continue coaching the Rebels throughout their playoff campaign, but the university denied him that opportunity amid widespread criticism of his decision to leave. He has since been persona non grata in Oxford, Mississippi.
Intrigue surrounded the Sugar Bowl, with rumours persisting until Thursday morning that Kiffin might attend the game in New Orleans. Reports from On3's Chris Low suggested Kiffin hoped to appear on ESPN's broadcast, but the network was reportedly reluctant. An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.
In the end, Kiffin remained in Baton Rouge, where he begins the task of rebuilding an LSU programme. He takes over from Brian Kelly, who was fired after failing to reach the College Football Playoff in his three seasons and following a devastating loss to Texas A&M.
The events of Thursday underscore the high-stakes, emotionally charged world of top-tier American college football, where coaching changes can be abrupt and team legacies are forged in the crucible of postseason play.
