Lane Kiffin has determined to commerce the teaching sideline in Oxford, Mississippi for the one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Kiffin introduced Sunday he’ll leave Ole Miss, after guiding the Rebels for six seasons, to coach at Louisiana State University (LSU), a Southeastern Conference (SEC)-foe.
“I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,” he posted on social media.
“While I am looking forward to a new start with a unique opportunity at LSU, I will forever cherish the incredible six years I spent at Ole Miss and will be rooting hard for the team to complete their mission and bring a championship to Oxford.”
Kiffin led Ole Miss to their greatest season in additional than six many years. The Rebels are 11-1 which ought to safe the college’s first College Football Playoff (CFP) spot.
The Rebels named defensive coordinator Pete Golding head coach. He will information the workforce in pursuit of its first nationwide championship in program historical past.
“Today’s team meeting was a clear indicator of his ability to galvanize our squad. All of our players and coaches are ecstatic and ready to lock arms for a playoff run,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter stated in a press release.
“The future of Ole Miss Football is brighter than ever, and we look forward to taking the next steps in our program’s journey with Pete Golding at the helm.”
Kiffin most popular to proceed to coach Ole Miss into the playoffs, however the faculty slapped that request down.
“I was hoping to complete a historic six season run with this year’s team by leading Ole Miss through the playoffs, capitalizing on the team’s incredible success and their commitment to finish strong, and investing everything into a playoff run with guardrails in place to protect the program in any areas of concern,” he wrote.
“My request to do so was denied by Keith Carter despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance. Unfortunately, that means Friday’s Egg Bowl was my last game coaching the Rebels.”
On Friday, Ole Miss gained its third consecutive Egg Bowl in opposition to in-state rival Mississippi State Bulldogs 38-19 in Starkville, Mississippi.
Under Kiffin, the Rebels have gained at least 10 video games for 3 consecutive seasons and 4 of the final 5. Ole Miss has appeared in 5 straight bowl video games.
LSU might be Kiffin’s fifth faculty head teaching job. He beforehand was at the helm at Tennessee, University of Southern California and Florida Atlantic University earlier than his Ole Miss stint.
In 14 seasons on the collegiate degree, Kiffin has complied a 116-53 document, 4-4 in bowl video games. He additionally coached within the NFL the place he was 5-15 in one-plus seasons with the then-Oakland Raiders.
Kiffin replaces Brian Kelly who was fired in October in the course of the fourth season of a 10-year contract value $100 million. LSU completed the season 7-5 after a loss to No. 8 Oklahoma on Saturday.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Kiffin as the next head coach of the LSU Football program,” LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry stated in a press release. “Lane is a confirmed winner who has thrived in an period of faculty athletics that requires coaches to adapt and innovate.
“His passion, creativity and authenticity make him the ideal leader to guide LSU into the future and consistently position us among the sport’s elite.”
The determination ends a months-long saga that noticed rumors of Kiffin going to a number of faculties together with the University of Florida.
However, Florida moved on from Kiffin and named Tulane’s Jon Sumrall as its subsequent head coach on Sunday.
Kiffin was adament after Friday’s Ole Miss’ recreation that he had but to decide.
“I’ve got some praying to do to figure this thing out,” he stated. “I’m living one day at a time. I know that doesn’t help you, but it helps me.”
While saying he missed his father, Monte, “in a week like this,” an emotional Kiffin additionally added that he was planning to seek the advice of with former University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban and present Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll for recommendation.
Ole Miss wanted a miracle on Saturday – an Auburn win over No. 10 Alabama within the Iron Bowl – to clinch a spot within the SEC championship recreation.
But the Crimson Tide escaped the upset bid by the Tigers and can face the Georgia subsequent weekend in Atlanta.