For the first time in program history, Ole Miss is heading to the College Football Playoff-and doing it as a host. After a record-setting 11-win regular season, the Rebels have earned their shot at a national title. But when they take the field for the biggest game in school history, one notable figure will be missing from the sideline: the head coach who helped get them there.
Lane Kiffin, who spent six seasons in Oxford and compiled a 55-19 record, is now the head coach at LSU. He left for Baton Rouge last month, and while he reportedly lobbied to stay on and coach the Rebels through their playoff run, that request was ultimately denied.
Now, it’s Pete Golding’s team to lead. The former defensive coordinator has been elevated to head coach and will guide Ole Miss into uncharted territory-without the man who helped build the foundation.
Why Lane Kiffin Isn’t Coaching Ole Miss in the Playoff
According to Kiffin, he met with Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter on November 29 and asked to remain with the team through the postseason. His intention was to finish what he started-coaching the players he helped lead to a historic CFP berth. But the university opted to move forward without him.
Speaking to ESPN’s Marty Smith, Kiffin said he “tried every single thing possible” to stay on through the playoff. “In the end, that was their decision,” he said. “We totally respect that and appreciate the time and energy that we tried to figure out a plan to do the best thing at the time for those players.”
From Ole Miss’ perspective, the decision wasn’t just about loyalty-it was about logistics. December is a chaotic stretch in college football.
Between the Early Signing Period and the heart of the recruiting calendar, asking a coach to juggle a playoff game while also building a recruiting class for a different school is a tall order. And in Kiffin’s case, there’s history here.
Back in 2016, Kiffin accepted the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic while still serving as Alabama’s offensive coordinator during a playoff run. As the Crimson Tide prepared for the national championship game against Clemson, Kiffin and Nick Saban “mutually agreed to part ways”-a move widely viewed as Saban’s call after a rocky lead-up to the title game.
Given that precedent, Ole Miss made a clean break and handed the reins to Golding, who has already played a major role in the Rebels’ success. Under his leadership, the defense allowed just 20.1 points per game-tied for 20th nationally. Now, he’ll try to deliver the program’s first-ever playoff win.
Why Kiffin Left for LSU
Kiffin’s departure didn’t come out of nowhere. LSU is one of the premier jobs in college football, with resources, facilities, and recruiting reach that few programs can match. While Ole Miss has made major strides, it’s hard to compete with what LSU can offer in terms of long-term potential.
In his introductory press conference at LSU, Kiffin made it clear that this wasn’t a decision he took lightly. He leaned on longtime mentor Pete Carroll for advice and said the message was clear: “Boy, go get it. Go for it.”
“Everybody I talked to outside of the state I was in basically said the same thing,” Kiffin said. “They all said, ‘Man, you are going to regret it if you don’t take the shot and go to LSU. It’s the best job in America with the best resources to win it.’”
Kiffin leaves Oxford as the third-winningest coach in Ole Miss history, and now he’s stepping into a program with national championship expectations. If he can replicate his success in Baton Rouge, the wins-and titles-may come even faster.
Behind the Scenes: A Tense Transition
As smooth as Kiffin’s public comments have been, the transition behind closed doors was anything but. According to multiple reports, tensions ran high in the days following his decision to take the LSU job.
Kiffin reportedly pushed hard to remain with Ole Miss through the playoff. When the school declined, he threatened to take his offensive staff with him immediately unless they changed course. Ole Miss stood firm.
The situation escalated to the point where several players confronted Kiffin in his office, questioning whether he had told staffers they’d lose their spots on his LSU staff if they didn’t join him right away. Kiffin’s response: “I’m not making them go. They can do whatever they want.”
He did not attend a team meeting that Sunday, reportedly at the school’s request. Meanwhile, Pete Golding worked quickly to stabilize the staff and keep as many assistants in place as possible.
Who Followed Kiffin to LSU?
Despite the drama, several key Ole Miss assistants have followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge:
- **Charlie Weis Jr. ** - LSU’s new offensive coordinator, formerly held the same role at Ole Miss from 2022 to 2025.
- Joe Cox - Takes over as LSU’s tight ends coach after serving as co-OC and TEs coach at Ole Miss in 2024 and 2025.
- George McDonald - LSU’s new wide receivers coach, held the same title at Ole Miss in 2024 and 2025.
- Sawyer Jordan - LSU’s inside receivers coach, previously in the same role at Ole Miss in 2025.
- Dane Stevens - LSU’s quarterbacks coach, formerly an analyst at Ole Miss from 2022 to 2025.
In a twist, those same assistants will return to Oxford-at least temporarily-to help the Rebels prepare for their playoff matchup against Tulane. According to ESPN, Kiffin allowed the coaches to assist Golding in an effort to support the players they’d coached all season. Weis Jr. will even call plays for Ole Miss during the game.
It’s a rare situation: former staffers helping their old team compete in the playoff while technically being employed by a future opponent. But for now, it’s all hands on deck in Oxford.
What Comes Next
For Ole Miss, the focus shifts to the present. Golding has the keys to a playoff-caliber roster and a chance to make history.
The Rebels are in uncharted territory, but they’re not flying blind. Golding’s defense has been one of the most consistent units in the country, and now he’ll try to translate that success into postseason wins.
As for Kiffin, he starts a new chapter at LSU with the kind of expectations that come with one of the sport’s biggest jobs. And while he won’t be on the sideline when Ole Miss takes the field, his fingerprints are all over the Rebels’ playoff run.
This is where college football gets complicated-where loyalty, legacy, and opportunity collide. But one thing’s clear: the next few weeks will shape the futures of two SEC powerhouses, and the ripple effects are just beginning.