ESPN’s Marty Smith: Ole Miss believes Lane Kiffin has a ‘desire’ to leave for LSU job
By David Wasson
Published:
The Lane Kiffin Sweepstakes continued deep into Saturday night without resolution, and one of the reporters embedded in Oxford believes Kiffin has one foot out the door toward Baton Rouge.
ESPN’s Marty Smith, who has been reporting on Kiffin on site all week, said during halftime of the Alabama-Auburn game that Ole Miss administrators believe Kiffin is headed toward a departure from Oxford.
“Lane Kiffin and athletic director Keith Carter concluded their meeting some 90 or so minutes ago,” Smith said on ESPN. “The sentiment here in Oxford is Kiffin’s unwillingness to commit is an indicator of his desire to go. I’m told that if he wanted to stay, he would have already said so.
“One sticking point still being considered, I’m told, is if (Kiffin) did leave is whether or not he would coach the Rebels in the College Football Playoff.”
Kiffin, 50, coached Ole Miss to its first 11-win regular season and is a virtual lock for the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Rebels downed Mississippi State 38-19 to win the Egg Bowl and finish off a 5-game winning streak.
Ole Miss could also qualify for the SEC Championship Game, if Auburn upsets No. 10 Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
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.
