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Bill Cowher goes off on Lane Kiffin over taking key staff with him to LSU

On3 imageby: Dan Morrison9 hours agodan_morrison96

In the end, Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU and won’t coach them in the College Football Playoff this season. That wasn’t for a lack of trying, though, and it was even reported that he demanded members of his staff follow him immediately or risk not having jobs next season.

Unsurprisingly, the entire situation has been divisive. Among those unhappy with how Lane Kiffin has handled the situation is Hall of Fame head coach Bill Cowher. On NFL Today, Cowher ripped not that Kiffin chose to leave, but how he handled leaving and the decision to try and bring key staff members with him.

“Let’s just talk about Lane Kiffin’s decision,” Bill Cowher said. “And what he asked in his statement that he was denied the opportunity to coach the Ole Miss team through the course of the Playoff. He was denied by the AD. I would say, why would you even ask that question? Why would an AD let a coach who made a decision that he wanted to go to LSU and not stay at Ole Miss, coach my players and use my coaches, and tell them for the next month why they should be joining him at LSU. Totally understand. I would say, ‘Thank you, Lane, and goodbye.'”

Several key staff members did leave with Lane Kiffin. On3’s Pete Nakos reported that would include general manager Billy Glasscock and strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage. Ole Miss, meanwhile, was working to retain key offensive staff. However, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. was seen boarding the plane to Baton Rouge.

“That being said, if indeed he decides to take other coaches with him,” Cowher said. “I would just say that any player who goes to play for Lane Kiffin, just understand one thing. It’s not about the program. It’s about Lane Kiffin, because he don’t care about the players. He just went through a season with a special season. Players he’s had for four years, with an opportunity to go to the Playoff, he’s decided to take them and not only leave them — which I get, okay, if you want to do that — but now you’re going to take offensive coaches with you and destroy the program? Deplete the program and the dreams of these young men, who you said you want to be there and you want to do it with, but if I can’t do it, I’m not gonna let you do it yourself.”

To replace Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss elevated defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the full-time role. He’s now being tasked with leading the Playoff charge. Of course, it won’t be that long until they meet on the field. Ole Miss will host LSU next season.