Cam Newton implores Lane Kiffin to stay at Ole Miss, compares decision to LeBron James’ Miami move
By David Wasson
Published:
College football’s insane 2025 coaching carousel has revolved the fastest around Oxford in recent weeks, as the future of Lane Kiffin has Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida fans all trying to read tea leaves and divine clues.
Cam Newton, a former SEC legend at Auburn, thinks that Kiffin’s version of LeBron James perpetually mocked “The Decision” should end up with Kiffin staying in Oxford with the Rebels.
“I don’t have a problem with how he’s handled it. I think this is college football’s version of LeBron James, with the infamous quote, ‘I’m taking my talents to South Beach.’ Everybody is waiting. Everybody is impacted off of what Lane Kiffin is going to do,” Newton said on ESPN’s First Take on Friday.
“… I would challenge this to this particular individual. Go somewhere where you’re the greatest of all time as a coach. Don’t find yourself going to another school and you’re just another good coach.
Newton, who won the Heisman Trophy at Auburn in 2010 before heading off to a future NFL career that saw him win the 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player award with the Carolina Panthers, continued by saying that Kiffin’s recruiting prowess is good enough to continue the excellence he has built in Oxford.
“If you win a national championship at LSU, you’re just another good coach. … If you stay right where you are, you will be the greatest coach that has ever done it,” Newton said. “And don’t give me this weak excuse of, ‘Oh, he can’t win there. Don’t nobody want to go to Oxford, Mississippi.’
“… In this particular case with Lane Kiffin, you’re the hottest thing out. Wherever you go, they’re going to follow you, the recruits.”
Kiffin will reportedly decide between LSU and Ole Miss this weekend.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
