TL;DR
- Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU.
- Kiffin wanted to coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff but was not allowed.
- Ole Miss appointed Pete Golding as their new head coach after Kiffin's departure.
- Kiffin reportedly threatened to poach Ole Miss players and staff for LSU.
As the college football season concludes, the focus shifts to the playoff contenders and teams securing bowl game berths. A less prominent, yet significant, element of this season's end is the coaching changes. Throughout college football, coaches frequently relocate, seeking avenues to further their professional journeys.
Amidst all the movement, Lane Kiffin opted to depart Ole Miss, remain within the conference, and assume the head coaching position at LSU. Although it's uncommon for coaches to switch jobs within the same conference, Kiffin's circumstances are particularly unusual given that the Rebels are on track for The College Football Playoff. Generally, when a coach accepts a new role, they depart their existing team.
Kiffin, however, guided Ole Miss to the 2025 College Football Playoff and desired to have the best of both worlds. The new LSU head coach wished to keep leading the Rebels during the playoffs, but Ole Miss intended to part ways with Kiffin once he secured a new position and departed the institution.
Here is more on why Kiffin isn't coaching for Ole Miss in the 2025 College Football Playoff.
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Will Lane Kiffin be leading Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff?
No, Kiffin won't be the head coach for Ole Miss when the College Football Playoff begins.
Kiffin desired to lead the Rebels during the playoffs, but the university opted not to retain him as head coach once he accepted the position at LSU. It's customary for an interim coach to handle postseason contests when a head coach departs for a new opportunity. Kiffin aimed to complete this national championship pursuit with Ole Miss while also transitioning to LSU for the subsequent season.
MORE: Tracking every hire of the 2025 college football coaching carousel
Why is Lane Kiffin not leading Ole Miss for The College Football Playoff?
If Kiffin had his way, he would have done so. Amidst the turmoil of his choice, word emerged that he had menaced to pilfer the Rebels' premier athletes and personnel if he wasn't permitted to continue his coaching duties.
Lane Kiffin is “essentially demanding to finish the season (w/Ole Miss) while simultaneously threatening to poach” Ole Miss’ roster & staff if he can’t, source told @On3sports. “It’s unfortunately gotten even messier than expected as emotions are high” https://t.co/gBcvHKk3Ps
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 30, 2025
As Kiffin was slated to depart for a competing conference, Ole Miss preferred not to proceed with their playoff campaign under a coach who was disinclined to remain. The Rebels aimed to facilitate Kiffin's departure promptly, enabling them to transition leadership of the team to an individual eager to be part of Ole Miss.
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 30, 2025
Kiffin might have ensured Ole Miss's participation in the 2025 CFP had he remained with the institution. However, he opted to depart for LSU, and Ole Miss is now looking to proceed without him.
MORE: Predicting the 2025 College Football Playoff rankings after Week 14
Who has been appointed as the new head coach for Ole Miss?
Following Kiffin's departure and Ole Miss's prohibition on his continued coaching, Pete Golding, who served as Kiffin's defensive coordinator at Ole Miss, was appointed as the head coach. Although it was initially anticipated to be a temporary appointment, Golding was ultimately designated as the permanent successor and head coach for Ole Miss.
Kiffin is tasked with assembling his new coaching team at LSU. A component of the agreement that brought him to the Tigers involved enhanced financial support for his staff. Kiffin had numerous individuals from The Ole Miss coaching roster in contemplation for his move, presenting them with a final decision. He allegedly informed them that if they did not join him on the flight to Baton Rouge that Sunday, they would not be part of his coaching group.
BREAKING: Lane Kiffin has lined up most of his offensive staff to join him at LSU, @clowfb reports.
— On3 (@On3sports) November 30, 2025
He's told them if they’re not on the plane to Baton Rouge today, they won’t have a spot on staff👀
The Tigers have a press conference scheduled for Monday to officially… pic.twitter.com/IDmEvCbXwz
MORE LANE KIFFIN NEWS:
- Why Lane Kiffin's departure may impact Ole Miss' ranking in CFP
- Meet Pete Golding, Ole Miss' new head coach with Lane Kiffin gone
- Lane Kiffin's complete history of controversial exits in football