TL;DR
- ESPN analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Joey Galloway discussed Lane Kiffin's potential departure from Ole Miss.
- Herbstreit believes many Ole Miss athletes want Kiffin to coach them through the postseason.
- Galloway suggests Ole Miss players should decide if Kiffin coaches them through playoffs if he's leaving.
- Ole Miss is having its most successful season under Kiffin, making his potential departure significant.
ESPN analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Joey Galloway discussed the possible consequences for Ole Miss Rebels should head coach Lane Kiffin leave prior to the postseason.
On the most recent “Nonstop” podcast, Herbstreit proposed that regardless of any departure, numerous athletes would still favor Kiffin leading them toward the College Football Playoff. While this may not perfectly match Ole Miss' aspirations, it could prove to be a significant consideration.
“It’s a year-to-year relationship, Herbstreit said. "A lot of these guys look at it not the way you and I did, ‘I’m here for four years, five years,’ whatever it is. This is more of a, ‘I’m here for this year. This is my team this year.’ … They look at this year as, ‘Hey, Lane, we want you to stay with us for this year, and let’s finish this thing. Let’s go win a championship this year.'”
Galloway's perspective differs. He believes the Rebels' administration ought to consult players regarding Kiffin's continued role for the playoff season, especially if he has already secured another position.
I'd really like to see the coaches, the [administration], whoever is responsible, gather the players and let them decide," Galloway said. "If they want him to continue coaching them through the playoffs, knowing he's departing, or if they'd prefer an assistant coach, someone currently on staff, to take over. The choice of whether he remains should rest with the players.
With a 10-1 record, Ole Miss is experiencing its most successful season under Kiffin, and arguably one of the best in the school's history. His departure would cause considerable upheaval, given his crucial involvement in both leadership and strategic play execution. It's still uncertain for The Rebels in the upcoming days whether the administration or the players will ultimately decide his playoff standing.
Trust the process. Because they're better with him than letting him walk at this point.
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