Ole Miss LB TJ Dottery opens up on Lane Kiffin's coaching future, his perspective

Earlier this month, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter revealed the school will be announcing Lane Kiffin‘s plans for the future this Saturday. After the Rebels’ dominant 38-19 win over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Friday, Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery pulled back the curtain on his perspective of Kiffin’s impending decision.

“I don’t know, I’d love for him to stay,” Dottery said. “The relationship we have, and the opportunity he’s given me, I love him.”

Dottery transferred to Ole Miss ahead of the 2023 season after spending his true freshman season at Clemson. He’s played a massive role in the Rebels’ 11-1 run this season.

Dottery leads the Rebels with 68 tackles in the 2025 campaign. He’s also recorded a forced fumble and two pass breakups. He logged a team-high nine tackles in Ole Miss’ win over Mississippi State on Friday.

Dottery isn’t the only players who’s expressed support for Kiffin. Earlier this week, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss took to social media to back his head coach.

“To our fans, this team is completely locked in, living in the moment, and staying true to our 1-0 mindset for the Egg Bowl and future games. We are unbothered by anything about next year and fully trusting Coach Kiffin’s leadership to keep us moving toward our goals!” Chambliss wrote on X.

On Friday, On3’s Chris Low reported that Kiffin will not be coaching at Florida next season. Kiffin will either return to Ole Miss or accept an offer to be LSU‘s next head coach. After the game Friday, Kiffin said he doesn’t know what his decision is yet.

“No, I haven’t (made up my mind),” Kiffin told ESPN’s Taylor McGregor on Friday. “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.”

Kiffin has been at Ole Miss for six seasons. The Rebels finished this regular season with an 11-1 record. They need Texas A&M and Alabama to lose this weekend to earn a spot in the SEC Championship game. Ole Miss has never appeared in the conference championship.

It’s unclear how Ole Miss’ athletic administration will react if Lane Kiffin accepts an offer from LSU. Kiffin’s decision could have a significant impact on Ole Miss’ postseason.