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Joel Klatt: Lane Kiffin rumors will become distraction for Ole Miss until he signs extension

by: Alex Byington9 hours ago_AlexByington
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© Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As college football’s wild coaching carousel kicks into high gear entering the final month of the regular season, one name is on everyone’s head coaching wish list: Ole Miss‘ Lane Kiffin. And at least one notable college football pundit believes that rampant speculation could potentially doom the Rebels’ College Football Playoff push down the stretch.

In the midst of his sixth season in Oxford, the 50-year-old Kiffin is a popular name volleyed around whenever a new SEC job comes open. He’s already been connected to the current openings at both Florida and LSU after their programs parted ways with Billy Napier and Brian Kelly in back-to-back weeks. And, while less likely in comparison, Auburn — which fired Hugh Freeze on Sunday — remains an option after Kiffin reportedly flirted with the Tigers job before Freeze was hired away from Liberty in late 2022. In fact, the only open SEC job Kiffin hasn’t been connected with is Arkansas.

With that in mind, and given the rampant speculation currently already taking place, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt suggested rumors about Kiffin’s future could ultimately become a major distraction as No. 7 Ole Miss (8-1, 5-1 SEC) looks to shore up a spot in the upcoming College Football Playoff. At least until Kiffin does something to definitively take his name out of consideration.

Joel Klatt on Lane Kiffin speculation: ‘The longer this goes, that could be a distraction’ for Ole Miss

“You’re seeing a lot of other coaches, that are high-profile, that will absolutely be targeted and mentioned for all these (open Power Four) job openings, and they’re taking their name out of the hat,” Klatt said during Monday’s The Joel Klatt Show. “Dan Lanning said ‘Absolutely not, I’m at Oregon.’ Matt Rhule signed an extension at Nebraska, and Curt Cignetti signed an extension at Indiana. So the longer that Lane Kiffin doesn’t sign an extension at Ole Miss, or come out and absolutely and emphatically and definitively — like Dan Lanning did — turn these jobs down and say ‘I’m not going anywhere,’ the distraction is going to creep up at Ole Miss.

“That would be my worry for Ole Miss and this team – the distraction of what’s going to go on. Because, listen, Florida is coming after Lane Kiffin — period,” Klatt continued. “LSU will absolutely talk with and try to interview Lane Kiffin, there’s not a doubt in my mind. In fact, I know one of them (to be true) for a fact. So, the longer this goes, that could be a distraction. Something to watch out for.”

Of course, as mentioned above, this isn’t the first time the Rebels have dealt with speculation about their head coach’s future in Oxford. But with so many premium openings — including at Penn State — this November could present a unique challenge for both Ole Miss and Kiffin in the midst of a serious Playoff push.