Lane Kiffin on decision timeline: 'I feel like I gotta' announce Saturday

Last week, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter released a statement revealing sixth-year Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin would have an announcement on his future plans the Saturday after the Egg Bowl. Kiffin is weighing whether to remain in Oxford and lead No. 7 Ole Miss into its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, or accept an offer to be the next head coach at LSU and move on immediately.

Following Friday afternoon’s 38-19 win over rival Mississippi State in Starkville, Kiffin admitted he is feeling pressure to make a career-defining decision by Saturday’s deadline as laid out by his AD, according to On3’s Chris Low. It’s certainly an unenviable position for any coach, let alone one in the midst of a generational season for the Rebels, which notched its program-record 11th win Friday.

“I feel like I gotta,” Kiffin said Friday afternoon, per Low.

Lane Kiffin on whether he expects to make a decision tomorrow on his future at Ole Miss: “I feel like I gotta.”

— Chris Low (@clowfb) November 28, 2025

Lane Kiffin misses father Monte’s advice, will lean on Nick Saban, Pete Carroll on coaching future

During his postgame press conference Friday afternoon, the 50-year-old Kiffin lamented no longer having his father, legendary NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, around to help him make such a monumental decision. His father passed away July 11, 2024, at the age of 84.

Instead, Kiffin said he’d turn to two of his coaching mentors — Pete Carroll and Nick Saban.

“I miss my dad,” Kiffin said while holding back emotions. “I really missed him this week. My two calls will be the closest to that for advice, what my dad would say to do on these things. That’ll be Coach Carroll and Coach Saban. Kind of wish when you have things to do in life, that your dad was there. But it is what it is.”

Kiffin’s future has been the biggest storyline in college football the last few weeks as two programs – LSU and Florida – prepared lucrative offers to hire him away from Ole Miss. Friday, On3 insiders reported the Gators are shifting their attention toward other targets. On3’s Pete Nakos also detailed what the steps could be for each program, depending on what Kiffin decides.

All the while, Ole Miss had to get ready for a huge game on Black Friday. The Rebels eventually took down Mississippi State 38-19 amid the noise, and Kiffin told ESPN’s Taylor McGregor he still has not made a decision. That is expected Saturday after Ole Miss AD Keith Carter previously said an announcement would come down Saturday, following Friday’s Egg Bowl in Starkville.

“No, I haven’t (made up my mind),” Kiffin said on the broadcast. “I’ve got a lot of praying to do to figure that out tomorrow, but right now, I’m just going to go enjoy these players. I told them last night, you’re going to win your 11th game, and all I want to do is experience joy watching you, and that’s what I’m about to do.”

— On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.