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Lane Kiffin releases statement on taking LSU job, confirms he wanted to coach Ole Miss through CFP

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko9 hours agonickkosko59

Lane Kiffin released a statement on his decision to leave Ole Miss to accept the head coaching gig at LSU. It can be read in full below.

Kiffin confirmed he wanted to keep coaching the Rebels through the College Football Playoff. However, during his meeting with AD Keith Carter, the two could not come to that agreement and they ultimately decided to leave now for Baton Rouge.

Kiffin is expected to be formally introduced as thew LSU head coach Monday. Ole Miss will be led in the CFP by new permanent head coach Pete Golding, who was promoted Sunday from defensive coordinator.

“After a lot of prayer and time spent with family, I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,” Kiffin said in a statement. “I was hoping to complete a historic six season run with this year’s team by leading Ole Miss through the playoffs, capitalizing on the team’s incredible success and their commitment to finish strong, and investing everything into a playoff run with guardrails in place to protect the program in any areas of concern.

“My request to do so was denied by Keith Carter despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance. Unfortunately, that means Friday’s Egg Bowl was my last game coaching the Rebels.”

Kiffin is eager to get down south and coach LSU. But he said he’ll remember his time in Oxford fondly as he transitions to the next chapter of his career.

“While I am looking forward to a new start with a unique opportunity at LSU, I will forever cherish the incredible six years I spent at Ole Miss,” Kiffin continued. “And I will be rooting hard for the team to complete their mission and bring a championship to Oxford.”

Kiffin leaves Ole Miss with an impressive 55-19 record and is 116-53 overall as a head coach with Tennessee, USC, FAU and Ole Miss. He led the Rebels to a program record 11 regular season wins this year and they will have a good shot at hosting a first round College Football Playoff game in a few weeks.