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Lane Kiffin needles Paul Finebaum, says host likes to ‘piss off’ Kirby Smart
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Lane Kiffin has been known to go after Paul Finebaum, all in good fun, throughout his coaching career. During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show” at the SEC Spring Meetings, Kiffin was at it again in top form.
The segment began with Finebaum telling Kiffin he was late to set, putting a crunch on their segment. However, Kiffin clarified he chose to appear on Finebaum’s show over a press conference he was supposed to do.
Finebaum later tried to get Kiffin to divulge his thoughts and plans on the College Football Playoff, but Kiffin did not bite.
“I can’t say yet, I’m going to go do that next,” admitted Lane Kiffin. “I can’t reveal my whole Playoff plan, what does she look like… I’m not doing it on your show. I don’t want to help your ratings.”
Kiffin quickly followed that up by calling out Finebaum for his attempt to “piss off” Kirby Smart. That came about when Finebaum shared some choice words for Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, though Smart got in his own comments face-to-face with Finebaum.
“Plus, I’m sticking up for Kirby; he said you were mean to him today. The guy’s only been… to 7 of the last 8 SEC Championships, and you rip on him today… You used to piss off Coach Saban, now you piss off Coach Smart. You just move them around.”
The rest of the segment included some banter on Finebaum’s ratings and Kiffin trying to dodge Finebaum at last year’s meetings. The two even joked about super agent Jimmy Sexton and the contract status of the Ole Miss head coach.
Finebaum went on to say he tried to help Kiffin in that regard by pushing him for new jobs last year. However, Kiffin does not see it that way
“I feel like whenever you push me for a job, we lose the next week. So it’s like you’re screwing us up,” said Kiffin.
The segment eventually concluded with Finebaum asking if they were on the air and categorizing Kiffin as the “most awkward TV in America.”
“It’s better than those cookie-cutter interviews,” Kiffin shot back. “Hey, how’s your 3rd-string safety? C’mon, we’re at the beach.”
Here’s the full segment in all its glory:
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
