It’s been a contentious time recently for former Ole Miss and current LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, but that didn’t stop the former Rebels coach for shouting out his old team.
After a very impressive six-year run in Oxford, Kiffin was the national subject of a huge coaching decision — take the head coaching position of a lifetime in Baton Rouge and leave his team before playoffs, or stay at Ole Miss for the long haul.
Though it was a very messy process, he ended up at LSU, leaving behind more than a few enemies in Oxford.
Despite all that, Kiffin has been openly rooting for his former team during their run in the College Football Playoff, drawing ire both from the Rebels and the Tigers.
On Thursday night, Ole Miss lost an all-time classic Fiesta Bowl in a heartbreaking defeat to Miami, and Kiffin offered up a predictable take. He congratulated his former players on a hard fought season and said how proud he was of them on his X account:
“Amazing effort and grit,” Kiffin said, in the wake of the crushing 31-27 defeat. “Best season ever in the history of Ole Miss!!”
Interestingly, Kiffin also offered thoughts on the somewhat controversial final play of the game. In the play, Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss heaved one to the end zone for what would have been a miracle game-winning touchdown.
The pass fell incomplete, though there appeared to be some contact, and a pass interference penalty would have given Ole Miss another shot from the 20-yard line.
Kiffin’s reaction certainly made it clear where he stood on the play, saying it was pass interference:
Whether it was pass interference or not, one of the wilder coaching cycles has finally come to an official close and Kiffin will try to win a title of his own in Baton Rouge.
It’s safe to say when the Tigers come to town in Oxford next season though, fans will be hungrier than ever to beat their former coach.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
