photo credit Clarion Ledger
OXFORD, MS — Rebels never play it safe. In the chaotic spirit of college football, the Ole Miss Rebels proved how rebellious they can be. In the wake of celebrating its Egg Bowl victory and 11-1 record, Ole Miss fired head coach Lane Kiffin. They were winning too much and Ole Miss said, “You have to stop.”
It’s been a season of win, after win, after win, for Lane Kiffin and the Rebels. They started the season ranked in near obscurity at #21 in the AP and now stand at #6. A spot in the playoffs is guaranteed, but it’s not all sunshine and roses.
The Ole Miss Athletic Director said Saturday night, “Kiffin has done a fantastic job. We couldn’t be prouder. He’s 50-18 in his career here at Ole Miss. Five bowl games. The players have responded to his coaching style.” He paused for a moment with a tear in his eye, “It made us uncomfortable.”
The Rebels, fresh off a 38–19 win over Mississippi State and a near‑certain Playoff berth, decided the only logical next step was to remove the man who got them there. “We just felt like success was becoming a distraction,” said one anonymous booster while polishing a commemorative whiskey bottle. “Lane kept winning, and frankly, that’s what makes the NCAA investigate boosters.”
Kiffin, who reportedly is headed to LSU, seemed unfazed. After confronting a reporter post‑Egg Bowl, he allegedly told the team, “If you think I’m sticking around after beating Mississippi State by three touchdowns, you’re crazier than the guy who ranked Indiana ahead of Georgia.” That guy, in fact, is not crazy, which left the team more confused, but ready to pack his bags.
Fans were mostly supportive. “We’ve been waiting years for this moment,” said one student while dodging eggs hurled in celebration. “Not the playoff berth — the chance to fire a coach at the peak of his career. I feel like it’s the start of a new tradition.”
The move is already sending shock waves through the SEC. Texas A&M wanted to fire their coach. Unfortunately, they realized they just lost to a Texas team that couldn’t beat a Big Ten team. Sources tell this reporter they’re waiting for a win and then Mike Elko is history.
The Georgia Bulldogs have announced they will preemptively fire their next coach before he’s even hired, just to stay competitive.
Meanwhile, LSU boosters are thrilled to inherit Kiffin. Describing him as “the perfect fit for a program that thrives on chaos, buyouts and gumbo.” Kiffin takes over for Brian Kelly who famously left LSU for a bigger challenge, finding a job while unemployed.
We asked Kiffin how he felt about being fired by Ole Miss after making the playoffs. He said, “They didn’t fire me. I quit.” It seems unlikely anyone would be dumb enough to leave a winning playoff bound program just before the playoffs. Some people just can’t handle the truth.
Vegas odds makers now list Ole Miss as a 3‑point favorite in the playoff. They’re a 7‑point favorite to fire the interim coach before kickoff.