TL;DR
- Lane Kiffin is reportedly leaving Ole Miss for LSU after a successful tenure.
- Ole Miss seeks a new coach to maintain competitiveness in the SEC.
- Potential candidates include Jon Sumrall, Glenn Schumann, Jimbo Fisher, Willie Fritz, and Alex Golesh.
- The Ole Miss athletic director faces scrutiny as the coaching search begins.
The Lane Kiffin circus is moving to another town.
Multiple reports indicate Kiffn is anticipated to depart Ole Miss for the identical role at LSU. Kiffin is reportedly set to reveal this news on Sunday morning, following Ole Miss's elimination from the SEC championship game, after they concluded the regular season in a four-way tie for the top spot in the SEC with a 7-1 record.
Kiffin's exit is poised to be among the most criticized coaching choices in recent times. He achieved a 55-19 win-loss record after assuming leadership at Ole Miss in 2020, propelling the team towards its inaugural appearance in the College Football Playoff in the institution's history.
Now, the Rebels will be looking for a new coach that can keep the program competitive in the SEC. Ole Miss has not had a coach for more than five seasons since David Cutcliffe, who was the coach from 1999-2004 after Tommy Tuberville left to take the Auburn job.
Rebels athletic director Keith Carter faces scrutiny regarding this matter. The question arises: who will succeed Kiffin in this instance? An examination of the individuals who might be considered for The Ole Miss position.
Who might be in line to take Lane Kiffin's job at Ole Miss? A look at some of the best candidates:
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Jon Sumrall, Tulane coach
Sumrall, 43, holds a 41-11 record between his tenures at Troy and Tulane, positioning him as a leading contender for this position. He is rumored to be the frontrunner for The Florida vacancy and is expected to decide on Sunday concerning the Gators' opening. Previously, he served as a linebackers coach at Ole Miss in 2018, leveraging that background into head coaching roles with notable achievements. Sumrall played linebacker at Kentucky from 2002-04 and could also be considered for that role if it becomes available. With Kiffin no longer in contention, Sumrall may be the most sought-after coaching candidate in the conference. How will this align with The Green Wave's strong pursuit of the College Football Playoff? He represents the ideal successor to Kiffin, but Ole Miss must swiftly gain ground on Florida.
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Georgia's defensive coordinator, Glenn Schumann
Travis Register / Imagn USA Today
Schumann, 35, is also expected to be a sought-after prospect due to the current circumstances. The defensive coordinator from Georgia has become a favored choice for openings within the SEC. He previously served as a student analyst at Alabama and worked as a coaching assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama, and more recently under Kirby Smart at Georgia. While Schumann lacks head coaching experience, Smart also began his tenure without it. With The Bulldogs heading to the College Football Playoff, this presents an opportunity for The Rebels to take their time with this decision.
Jimbo Fisher, the previous head coach for Texas A&M
Could Fisher be a good fit for Oxford? Fisher, aged 60, has abstained from coaching for the past two seasons following his dismissal from Texas A&M. Fisher secured a national championship with Florida State in 2013, a year prior to the commencement of the playoff era. His record at Texas A&M stood at 45-25, a.643 win rate that didn't entirely align with the caliber of players assembled. Fisher possesses the ability to recruit at an elite standard – and he may emerge from this coaching hiatus with valuable insights applicable to the NIL and transfer portal landscape. It represents a high-risk, high-reward acquisition – yet it's sufficiently attention-grabbing to move beyond Kiffin.
Willie Fritz, Houston coach
Fritz, aged 65, may have another coaching opportunity ahead. Consider his four-year performance. Across his tenures at Tulane and Houston, Fritz has achieved a 35-15 record over the past four years, which encompasses a 4-8 outcome in his initial season with The Cougars. This equates to a.700 winning percentage, and the transformation at Houston occurred swiftly. Fritz lacks experience in the SEC, positioning him as a secondary choice considering the individuals Ole Miss would likely pursue.
Alex Golesh, the coach for South Florida
Golesh, aged 41, has been in discussions with Arkansas, though no agreement has been reached. He previously served as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee from 2021 to 2022, working with Hendon Hooker, who secured fifth place in the Heisman Trophy balloting that year. The Bulls have a 22-15 record under Golesh's leadership and presented a significant challenge to Alabama in both 2023 and 2024. Golesh employs a fast-paced offensive strategy. Golesh's reputation has reached new heights following early-season triumphs over Boise State and Florida this year. Once more, it appears Ole Miss would need to accelerate its efforts compared to Arkansas in this particular pursuit.