Lane Kiffin responds to potential interest in the Auburn head coach opening

One of the top SEC jobs is open and one of the top SEC coaches has been heavily linked. Ole Miss‘ Lane Kiffin is viewed as a top candidate for the Auburn Tigers due to his success in Oxford. Whether or not the interest is mutual has yet to be seen.

Kiffin was asked about him being a candidate for Auburn, saying he did not want to comment on the opening. However, he did state how happy he was with Ole Miss and “building something special” after a 10-win regular season last year and well on the way to the same in 2022.

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“We don’t really comment on those things here,” Kiffin said during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference. “A lot of times, they’re a product of players performing well, assistant coaches. We’re extremely happy here, got something special going. Have great support here from the administration, the chancellor.”

Kiffin would be a rare in-conference transition for head coaches, let alone the same division. Auburn would mark the third SEC program he would be in charge of, spending one season at Tennessee back in 2009.

Since moving back into the SEC, Kiffin has a 23-9 overall record and 14-8 inside the conference. Ole Miss has been excelling under his guidance and there is just one more hurdle to jump before they can start seriously discussing new heights with the College Football Playoff.

That comes in two weeks on Nov. 12.

Lane Kiffin preparing for Alabama game on Nov. 12

The statement made by Kiffin on the Auburn job was closed by saying he is focused on next week’s game against Alabama for Ole Miss. As usual, the remarks for the Crimson Tide and Nick Saban were high ones, dating back to his days in Tuscaloosa.

“Just trying to get better to play the best program of the last 10 years in college football, coming out of here,” said Kiffin.

Kiffin has not been afraid to show how much he respects, and even likes, the Alabama program since leaving. Of course, if he’s at Auburn, that sentiment is not shared throughout the fan base. While Ole Miss is not particularly fond of the Crimson Tide either, that rivalry is not to the intensity of the Iron Bowl.

For now, Kiffin is going to remain focused on the task at hand with Ole Miss. If Auburn does make a serious run at him, the push will come early in the offseason.