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Paul Finebaum: Lane Kiffin doesn't want to put an end to Florida job rumors

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs5 hours agogrant_grubbs_
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Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

After Ole Miss‘ win over Florida on Saturday, Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin shrugged off rumors about him leaving Oxford to take over at another school. However, he didn’t deny the rumors either. During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum interpreted Kiffin’s intriguing response.

“The only thing that would prevent Lane from taking [the Florida job opening] would be just the situation where it would be too complicated, depending on the playoff situation,” Finebaum said. “Again, what Kiffin said after the game is somewhat irrelevant. He knows he could have put an end to [the speculation].

“It’s pretty obvious he doesn’t want to put an end to it. So, I mean, I think, at this point, conventional wisdom would be, as long as he doesn’t blow up the entire place in departing, he’s going to probably take that job.”

Kiffin’s name was mentioned in connection to both the head coach openings at Florida and LSU. However, as the season has progressed, Finebaum has grown to believe Kiffin is more likely to join the Gators.

Ole Miss is expected to secure a College Football Playoff spot this season for the first time in program history. Kiffin in his sixth season as Ole Miss’ head coach. He’s amassed 54-19 overall record and a 31-17 mark in conference play with the Rebels.

Prior to Ole Miss, Kiffin’s longest tenure at the helm of a program was at USC, where he spent four seasons. While Paul Finebaum thinks Kiffin is likely to move on from Ole Miss, he doesn’t expect the 50-year-old HC to make a move until the Rebels’ season is over.

“We all know Lane Kiffin equally well, and for whatever he has done in the past, the idea of him walking out on a football team is almost impossible for me to believe,” Finebaum said. “The damage to him, his reputation and career, I think—and to the sport, quite frankly—would be beyond my words.

“I just can’t believe it. … If he’s going to Florida—and that’s where the rumors are—then, when is he going? And how do you do it?”

Ole Miss has a bye this week and will square off against Mississippi State on Nov. 28 for its regular-season finale. For now, both Lane Kiffin and Florida may be in a waiting game, while the Rebels play out their 2025 campaign.