Lane Kiffin calls out Ole Miss AD as contentious exit for LSU gets uglier

Lane Kiffin wanted to leave Ole Miss for LSU, and has done so.

But he did not want to leave now, and he is blaming the University of Mississippi athletic director for it.

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— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 30, 2025

In his announcement that he is bolting for Baton Rouge, Kiffin called out AD Keith Carter for not allowing him to remain with Ole Miss through the College Football Playoff.

“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,” Kiffin wrote on social media. “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.”

Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talking with athletic director Keith Carter. — Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin with athletic director Keith Carter before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Such was the reported source of dispute at a meeting on Sunday.

Ole Miss, 11-1 and almost certainly bound for the CFP, wanted Kiffin to either stay or to leave immediately. It also wants a reason for the coaching staff under Kiffin to remain.

Kiffin, meanwhile, wanted to finish the job with the Rebels and then say goodbye after they were eliminated or after they had won a title. Kiffin reportedly threatened to do his best to raid the staff if Ole Miss blocked him, which it has.

Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels looks on after the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Starkville, Mississippi. — Lane Kiffin looks on after the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Starkville, Mississippi. Getty Images

Without Kiffin, defensive coordinator Pete Golding reportedly will serve as head coach for Ole Miss, which is coming off a 38-19 win over rival Mississippi State.

Kiffin says he’ll be rooting for his now former program.

“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,” he said in the statement.

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