Lane Kiffin coaching rumors: Report places LSU in lead, Florida third in race

Amid the rumors about where Lane Kiffin will be coaching next year, a report from CBS Sports placed LSU in the lead to land the Ole Miss coach if he leaves Oxford. The sense is Florida sits third in the race behind the Tigers and Rebels, respectively.

Kiffin’s future has become the top storyline in college football heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter said Friday an announcement is expected following next week’s Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. The Rebels are on a bye in Week 13.

Kiffin is squarely in the mix for both the LSU and Florida jobs, and On3’s Pete Nakos reported the Ole Miss coach’s family visited both Baton Rouge and Gainesville amid the pursuit. As of Friday night, CBS Sports reported LSU could be leading the race for Kiffin’s services.

In the lead-up to Ole Miss’ bye, the questions were getting louder about where Lane Kiffin will be in 2026. The Rebels played Florida in Week 12, and Ole Miss fans were chanting “We Want Lane!” after the victory at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

All the while, the rumor mill continues to churn. Kiffin then met with Carter on Friday, and the Ole Miss AD said an announcement regarding Kiffin’s future is expected after the Egg Bowl on Black Friday.

“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.”

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Lane Kiffin denied the idea of an “ultimatum” to inform the school of a decision by the Egg Bowl. Additionally, he received numerous questions about his next steps during this week’s SEC coaches teleconference. He made it clear he plans on coaching against Mississippi State in the season finale.