‘I’m not going there, again’: Lane Kiffin’s name is once again attached to a SEC head coach opening

There might begin a feeling of déjà vu for Ole Miss fans this November as Sunday brought another head coach opening within the Southeastern Conference and Lane Kiffin’s name was quickly added to all the hot lists.

National media were fast to mention Kiffin’s name when coming up with candidates to replace Jimbo Fisher, who was fired by Texas A&M after nearly six seasons in College Station. Fisher was let go 12 hours after beating Mississippi State by 41 points at home.

This news paired with another tough November loss to a top SEC team, this year in No. 2 Georgia, might cause some feelings that were stamped out last December to resurface.

On Sunday during his Zoom session with local media Kiffin was asked about his name coming up swiftly on Sunday and if Ole Miss fans should be worried once more.

“I’m not going there, again,” Kiffin said. “I should’ve been prepared for that (question), I wasn’t. So, I’m not answering that.”

A short and sweet response by Kiffin that will quell any anxiousness for Ole Miss fans, for now. But everyone knows how SEC coaching searches go and the life they take on with each passing day a new coach is not hired.

A little more than 11 months ago Kiffin and Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter came to terms on a new contract after the former was heavily attached and rumored for the Auburn head coaching job that was eventually filled by Hugh Freeze.

Kiffin’s new deal gave him a base salary of $9 million and increases year-to-year, running up to when it expires after the 2026 season.

Ole Miss is in the midst of wrapping up Kiffin’s fourth season and on the verge of potentially finishing with double-digit wins.

The Rebels beat the Aggies on November 4 to secure its eighth win of the season with three to play. Saturday’s loss at Sanford Stadium stings but Kiffin is still on track to do something a second time no other coach had managed to do before him.

Carter sat down with The Ole Miss Spirit’s for a Talk of Champions episode last week and mentioned the elephant in the room that was Kiffin-Auburn a year ago and moving forward.

“I think the last couple years have been tough during that period of time and last year was really tough,” Carter said. “With Auburn opening up so early and, obviously, the speculation around that job. We were having to, really, deal with that for six, seven, eight weeks until we got to the finish line of the season. Thankfully this year there hasn’t been a job or two that have opened up that have widely caused speculation.

“With the season we’re having we love what’s happening with coach Kiffin and the staff, clearly. I think he’s settled in and I think he’s put some roots down here and feels really comfortable with Oxford and what we can give him from a resource standpoint.”

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