Lane Kiffin’s plane touched down Sunday in Baton Rouge, La., punctuating a high-stakes coaching saga that spanned Oxford, Miss., Gainesville, Fla., and the broader college football footprint. This wasn't the way it was supposed to end.
His arrival followed a playful exchange over the radio as the inbound aircraft signed off one transmission with a “Go Tigers!” Only to draw a “Hotty Toddy!” Response from Baton Rouge air traffic control. It's clear this is going to be the start of a rivalry and how some are split surrounding the hire.
Oxford’s farewell was less lighthearted. Rebels fans earlier littered Kiffin’s jet-boarding with boos and gestures. It shows how some took the emotional jolt of losing a coach who delivered the best regular season in program history.
Lane Kiffin's plane gets a "Hoddy Toddy" from the Air Traffic Control tower in Baton Rouge while landing. Pic.twitter.com/Uay9DnoTAR
— Ben Bearup (@TheAviationBeat) November 30, 2025
Kiffin later acknowledged the difficulty of the decision in a tarmac interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith. He leaves Ole Miss at 11-1, absent an SEC championship game appearance. And will not coach the Rebels in the postseason, like he intended to do.
LSU plans to formally introduce Kiffin at a Monday news conference.
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