Lane Kiffin will remain at Ole Miss over taking the Auburn job. He’s reiterated that multiple times, and he made it official Saturday morning, per multiple reports, by telling the Rebels staff and players he plans to stick with them.

Now, the Tigers have moved to Hugh Freeze being the No. 1 candidate.

Kiffin was widely thought to be Auburn’s top candidate when it fired Bryan Harsin, and all eyes have been on Kiffin as Ole Miss limped to the finish line of the 2022 season. The Rebels finished 1-4.

ESPN insider Pete Thamel had details on Kiffin’s decision to stay in Oxford Saturday morning on College GameDay.

“I was told this morning that the pull of family staying in Oxford had become an obstacle for both sides,” Thamel said. “The courtship of Lane had cooled on both sides in the last 24 hours.

“This leaves the door open for Freeze. Sources told me that no offer has been made to Freeze yet, and nothing will happen formally until after the Iron Bowl. The expectation is that Hugh Freeze is going to be Auburn’s next head coach.”

Kiffin is now 23-12 overall at Ole Miss over 3 seasons.

All signs point to Freeze becoming Auburn’s next head coach in the near-future.