Lane Kiffin details what legacy he hopes to leave, impact of father Monte

Lane Kiffin finds himself in an almost unprecedented situation with his future. Ole Miss heads to Starkville for the Egg Bowl next week before almost assuredly playing in the College Football Playoff. At the same time, a decision needs to be made regarding his potential interest in the Florida and LSU jobs. Reports indicate a deadline has been set to make a final decision, something Kiffin has since denied.

So, as Kiffin goes through all of this, he was asked about his legacy. Specifically, what he wants his coaching legacy to be when the time to retire comes. Kiffin actually went in a different direction, though, speaking more broadly and how his father impacts it all.

“I love that I feel like my story, what I’ve gone through, my experiences are able to impact people,” Kiffin said Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “I remember speaking at my Dad’s funeral and so many people from so many places, sending cards, coming down and saying things about his impact on them. I was like, ‘God, that’s what I hope for.’ … I’m thinking of the legacy of the people you connect with and the ability to help them through things.”

Monte Kiffin passed away in the summer of 2024 after a long career in coaching. The bulk of his career was spent in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl as the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He worked with Lane beginning in 2019 at FAU before following him to Ole Miss as an assistant coach.

And so, family has been a big aspect of Kiffin’s life since arriving at Ole Miss. Going past the relationship with Monte, Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, and son, Knox, both live in Oxford right now. Landry attends Ole Miss and Knox plays quarterback for Oxford High School, as the Chargers continue to compete for a state championship.

Plenty of quotes regarding Kiffin’s family dynamic have to come to light throughout the season. But an upcoming date he is looking forward to is the day after Thanksgiving. Ole Miss faces off against Mississippi State, and a few hours later, Knox could be playing for that state championship.

“Just seeing Knox play last night, like the whole good ole days that I tell our players,” Kiffin began. “I’m in them right now for my life. I just don’t think people realize when they’re in them and then they get older and they say ‘Remember that? It was so great back then.’ I’m just fortunate to be in them.”