New LSU coach Lane Kiffin has had time to reflect on his departure from Ole Miss football.
He said he would handle things differently if he had a do-over.
Kiffin led Ole Miss to an 11-1 record in the 2025 regular season, which was his sixth season with the program. He left after the regular season to take the job at rival LSU. It led to a chaotic departure where Kiffin was denied his request to coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff. He left for LSU on Nov. 30 and he was booed by Ole Miss fans at the airport.
Kiffin did an interview with the Pardon My Take podcast that published May 20. He spoke about a wide range of topics and was asked if he would change anything about leaving Oxford.
“I think I would’ve just came in and said I’m leaving,” Kiffin said. “I’m very appreciative of everything. I spent a lot of time there fighting to coach the team. Trying to keep everything together. Totally respect their decision, for the athletic director, not to happen. I get it. I was trying so hard to keep that together.”
Kiffin said he thought being more definitive would have eased some of the chaos surrounding his departure.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to take Kiffin’s place. Golding led Ole Miss to two College Football Playoff wins.
Kiffin was asked about his emotions watching the Rebels’ CFP run come to an end. Ole Miss lost the Fiesta Bowl 31-27 to Miami in the CFP semifinals on Jan. 8. The Rebels had a chance to win it on the final play, but a pass to the end zone was broken up.
“That was really tough,” Kiffin said. “Especially as you see their faces walk off as they are losing their game. You are like, OK, it’s a one-play game. And then would it have made a difference if they would have let us coach? I’m not going to say about myself as the head coach because Pete did a great job. But that means Pete Golding would’ve still been in the press box calling defenses. All our assistants would have been there.”
Kiffin and the Tigers will return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium next season. Ole Miss will host LSU in Week 3 of the 2026 season on Sept. 19.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Lane Kiffin on Ole Miss football departure, emotions of watching CFP