Lane Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss to take the reins at LSU has done more than just shift the coaching landscape in the SEC-it’s ignited a behind-the-scenes tug-of-war with defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who now finds himself trying to hold the line in Oxford. And as is often the case when a head coach leaves, the ripple effects are hitting the Rebels hard, with players and staff beginning to follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge.
The latest to make the jump? Sawyer Jordan, who served as an assistant coach at Ole Miss and is now heading to LSU to take over as the Tigers’ wide receivers coach.
It’s a move that strengthens LSU’s offensive staff and brings another familiar face into Kiffin’s new locker room. Jordan has already proven his value-he was part of the Ole Miss staff that helped guide the Rebels to the College Football Playoff this season, and his coaching résumé includes a stint at USF under Jeff Scott, where he quickly climbed the ranks from graduate assistant to offensive analyst.
Jordan joined Kiffin’s Ole Miss staff in late 2023, and the two have clearly built a strong working relationship. That chemistry now carries over to LSU, where their familiarity could pay immediate dividends. When a head coach and position coach are in sync, it streamlines everything-from game-planning to in-game adjustments-and that kind of cohesion can be a real asset in the high-stakes world of SEC football.
For LSU, this is a savvy hire. Jordan brings energy, familiarity with Kiffin’s system, and a proven ability to connect with players.
And while his move might not be a seismic loss for Pete Golding and Ole Miss, it’s another chip off the foundation. Golding now faces the challenge of not only replacing a coach who contributed to one of Ole Miss’s most successful seasons, but also keeping the rest of the staff and roster from following suit.
What’s more, this transition isn’t just being embraced professionally-it’s being celebrated personally. Jordan’s fiancée, Caitlin Miller, shared her excitement on social media, posting, “Feeling beyond proud and blessed,” and adding, “So excited for next season of life @coachsjordan.
Let’s geaux Tigers.” That kind of public support underscores just how committed Jordan and his circle are to this next chapter in Baton Rouge.
Despite the backlash Lane Kiffin has faced from some corners of the Ole Miss community-accusations of betrayal and broken trust have been swirling-he continues to pull talent from Oxford to LSU. That speaks volumes about the loyalty he’s built with his staff and players, and it’s a signal that his influence extends well beyond a single program.
For Pete Golding, the message is clear: the competition with Kiffin isn’t just on Saturdays. It’s happening every day, in every meeting room, and in every recruiting conversation. And if Ole Miss wants to stay competitive in the post-Kiffin era, they’ll need to start winning some of those battles off the field, too.