Paul Finebaum has two reasons why Lane Kiffin will be coaching at Florida next year

Jeff Hauser

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Paul Finebaum has two reasons why Lane Kiffin will be coaching at Florida next year image

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum believes Lane Kiffin’s silence is speaking louder than any public statement he could make right now. 

There a growing belief that the Ole Miss coach is preparing to leave Oxford. With LSU and Florida aggressively pursuing him, will the pressure be two much? Finebaum said Kiffin’s refusal to commit sends a clear message.

“I think it’s Florida. He’s always been a Florida fan,” Finebaum said this week on ESPN's First Take. “He grew up idolizing Steve Spurrier. I think it comes down to Florida or LSU. It seems like he has already left Ole Miss. You just don’t leave them hanging like he has.”

Kiffin has had multiple opportunities to end three drama by signing a long-term extension with the Rebels. This comes at the worst time with his team at 10-1 and one of the select few who can make their first College Football Playoff appearance.

However, reports indicate both LSU and Florida have flown Kiffin’s family to their campuses, added rhetoric to the most-watched coaching decision of the cycle.

“If you’re going to stay here, all you have to do is say, ‘I’ve just agreed to a new contract,’” Finebaum said.

Florida is searching for another program-changing personality in the mold of Urban Meyer, who last did it right for the Gators. On the other hand, LSU is chasing hard and wants back in the championship conversation. 

Ole Miss has reportedly set a decision deadline of the Egg Bowl, though Kiffin denied any ultimatum, telling Pat McAfee, “That’s absolutely not true.”

Stay tuned to see how this all shakes out in Oxford. Hopefully, no Christmas trees will be sitting out on the curb. 

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Editorial Team