Paul Finebaum blasts 'vapid statement' from Ole Miss AD on Lane Kiffin's future

Rumors around Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin‘s future are heating up as the regular season nears an end. Earlier this week, The Athletic reported that Ole Miss had given Kiffin an ultimatum, forcing him to choose between staying at Ole Miss or accepting another job offer by the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Kiffin denied this report. Alas, with Kiffin’s family traveling to Gainesville, Florida, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the rumor mill continues to turn. On Friday, Ole Miss athletic director released a statement addressing Kiffin’s future at the school.

“Coach Kiffin and I have had many pointed and positive conversations regarding his future at Ole Miss, including meeting today with Chancellor Boyce,” Carter wrote in a statement. “While we discuss next steps, we know we cannot lose sight of what is most important – our sixth-ranked team that is poised to finish the regular season in historic fashion.

“Despite the outside noise, Coach Kiffin is focused on preparing our team for the Egg Bowl, and together, we want to ensure that our players and coaches can concentrate fully on next Friday’s game. This team is on the cusp of an unprecedented season, and it’s imperative they feel the support of the Ole Miss family in the week ahead. An announcement on Coach Kiffin’s future is expected the Saturday following the game.”

Ole Miss is 10-1 this season and on the cusp of making its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Kiffin is in his sixth season with the school. Florida and LSU are both reportedly interested in hiring the 50-year-old HC.

Some reporters have speculated that Ole Miss won’t allow Kiffin to coach in the CFP if he’s taking another job after this season. While ESPN’s Paul Finebaum doesn’t believe Carter’s statement is promising for Ole Miss fans, he isn’t willing to drawn any conclusions yet, either.

“I’ll be a little more blunt. I don’t think it accomplished anything. It was just a completely vapid statement that meant nothing other than, ‘We had a meeting today, and we’ll tell you in eight days,'” Finebaum said. “Everybody known to mankind is aware that, after the Egg Bowl, Kiffin has to make a decision.

“And, by the way, after that game next Friday, he could easily say he’s staying at Ole Miss and then the Ole Miss fans can be outraged that all of us mean, old media people just made such a big deal about nothing. But, it seems like Keith Carter just fed the beast there… I mean, if he had an agreement with Lane Kiffin, he would just gone ahead and said, ‘We met today, and we’ve agreed to a new [contract].”