There isn't a player, coach, administrator or any other figure incollege footballmore breathlessly discussed right now thanLane Kiffin.
TheOle Misscoach holds the fate of multiple SEC programs and the broader 2025 coaching carousel in his hands as he leads the No. 6 Rebels to a likelyCollege Football Playoffberth while weighing interest fromFloridaand LSU for their vacant coaching positions.
The latest twist in that ongoing saga came earlier this week, when it was reportedOle Missofficials asked Kiffin and his representation, including agent Jimmy Sexton, for clarity on Kiffin's plans for next season before the Rebels' annual Egg Bowl matchup against rival Mississippi State on Nov. 28.
REQUIRED READING:Lane Kiffin denies Ole Miss gave ultimatum to decide coaching future by Egg Bowl
When asked about it Wednesday, Nov. 19 on the weekly SEC football coaches teleconference, Kiffin sidestepped the question, insisting he won't speak about other jobs.
"I'm going to stay on what I've done for six years, which isn't talk about other jobs and that situation," Kiffin said. "(Ole Miss athletic director) Keith (Carter) and I, I've seen him twice already today. Keith and I have a great relationship. We communicate daily on a lot of things, and I love it here. It's been amazing. We're in a season that's the greatest run in the history of Ole Miss, at this point. We haven't ever been at this point, so I think it's really exciting. I think Saturday night (against Florida) was amazing. I'm just living in the moment — it's amazing — and our players are, too. I see their joy. ... It's just awesome to be a part of."
According to reports, Ole Miss wants an answer on Kiffin's plans so it can adequately prepare for the postseason, which could mean undergoing a coaching search or identifying an interim coach before the playoff if Kiffin opts to leave.
REQUIRED READING:Lane Kiffin to Florida or LSU? Here's another possibility
Kiffin's status as the hottest coaching candidate on the market is easy to understand.
An Ole Miss program that had just two 10-win seasons from 1972-2020 has become an improbable SEC power under Kiffin, with a 49-14 record since the start of the 2021 season. At 10-1 heading into their bye week, the Rebels have won at least 10 games for the fourth time in the past five seasons under Kiffin. A win against Mississippi State would effectively clinch a spot in the playoff, though even with a loss, they'd still be well-positioned to make the 12-team field.
Between his impressive record at a historically middling program and his high-scoring offenses, Kiffin has been at the center, at least publicly, of both LSU and Florida's coaching searches.
Kiffin's ex-wife, son and nephewreportedly visitedGainesville, Florida on Sunday while his ex-wife visited Baton Rouge, Louisiana the following day with other family members.
Though Florida and LSU have combined to win five national championships this century — Ole Miss hasn't won a national title since 1960, years before widespread desegregation in the SEC — Kiffin is well-compensated at Ole Miss, making $9 million, according to theUSA TODAY Sports coaches salary database. That figure ranks him 10th among FBS coaches at public universities, putting him ahead of what Billy Napier was making at Florida and slightly behind what Brian Kelly was being paid at LSU.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Lane Kiffin sidesteps questions about Ole Miss future on SEC call
