Lane Kiffin may no longer be pacing the Ole Miss sideline, but that hasn’t stopped him from keeping one foot firmly planted in the Magnolia State - at least on social media. As the Rebels prepare to host Tulane in the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff, their former head coach is stirring the pot from a distance, proving once again that his Twitter game is just as sharp as his offensive playcalling.
What started as a bit of light-hearted regional banter between Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has turned into a full-blown digital back-and-forth - with Kiffin jumping in to add his signature twist of sarcasm and charm.
It all began when Reeves took a playful jab at Louisiana, reminding Landry that the only team from the Pelican State to make the expanded College Football Playoff is Tulane - and they’ll be playing in Oxford, Mississippi this weekend. Not LSU.
Not Kiffin’s new squad. Tulane.
“Good news Gov…” Reeves tweeted. “The #1 football team in Louisiana - and the only one to ever make the 12 team College Football Playoff - plays in Mississippi tomorrow afternoon!!
You don’t have to wait until next year to visit Oxford - Hope to see you there @LAGovJeffLandry! #HottyToddy”
Naturally, Kiffin couldn’t resist. This was right in his wheelhouse - a chance to poke fun, keep the rivalry warm, and maintain his presence in the SEC spotlight, even if he’s now wearing purple and gold instead of red and blue.
“These two…. Can’t we all get along??? #AllLove,” Kiffin tweeted, quote-tweeting the governors’ exchange with a wink and a grin, digitally speaking.
For context, this isn’t the first time these two governors have tangled on Twitter over football. Their back-and-forth dates back to early December, shortly after Kiffin announced he was leaving Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU.
That move stung in Oxford, where Kiffin had built a high-powered offense and a passionate following. His departure left a trail of frustration and, yes, a few salty tweets from Rebels fans - and even their governor.
Landry, never one to shy away from a good jab, responded to Reeves earlier this month with a photo and the caption: “Less Lane won’t be a problem in Mississippi…until next year. See you in Oxford. #GeauxTigers”
That tweet referenced Reeves’ earlier post, where he said the world could use “less Lane Kiffin” following his exit from the Rebels program. That shot clearly didn’t go unnoticed by Kiffin, who has always embraced the chaos of college football’s social media scene.
And let’s be honest - this is classic Kiffin. Whether he’s trolling rival fanbases, retweeting memes, or firing off cryptic emojis, he’s mastered the art of staying relevant in the college football conversation, even when he’s not on the field.
As for the actual football? Well, Ole Miss will take the field against Tulane without Kiffin for the first time in a postseason setting, while Kiffin focuses on building his vision at LSU. But make no mistake - his fingerprints are still all over this Rebels team, and his presence, even from afar, continues to loom large.
This latest Twitter exchange is just another reminder that in the SEC, football rivalries don’t take a break - not in the offseason, not during the playoffs, and definitely not on social media.