It was doomed from the start.
Long before Lane Kiffin’s dramatic Ole Miss exit Sunday for LSU, the 50-year-old coach was also courted by Florida, an ill-fated pursuit that began with an initial conversation with athletic director Scott Stricklin, which, according to a CBS Sports report published Monday, “did not go well.”
“At the time, Florida was the biggest job available and had the leverage to dictate some of its terms. That included wanting a general manager with an NFL background who wouldn’t report directly to Kiffin,” the report stated, citing sources with intel on Kiffin’s perception of the conversation.
“This was a non-starter for Kiffin, who strongly believes in the abilities of Ole Miss general manager Billy Glasscock, and it got the weeks-long pursuit off to an awkward start from Kiffin’s perspective.”
Kiffin, who had long eyed the Florida job, has ties to the university. His ex-wife, Layla, went to Florida, the same institution her father, famed Gators QB John Reaves, played for. Kiffin also has sported a visor in honor of former Florida coach Steve Spurrier.
Stricklin, considered to have a “more button-up personality” in contrast to Kiffin’s “penchant for stirring up drama,” began assessing the Rebels coach before the Oct. 19 firing of Billy Napier, according to the report.
Although Stricklin was “comfortable” continuing the process with Kiffin after gauging those in the coach’s circle about his maturation, the underlying issue remained: “Kiffin was well aware that he wasn’t Stricklin’s cup of tea, and the feeling was mutual.”
Kiffin, who had guided the Rebels since 2020, had a great deal of authority at Ole Miss and worried a personality clash was inevitable.
“Ole Miss all but allowed him to do whatever he wanted in Oxford and kept giving him more and more resources to push the program forward,” the report stated. “… Kiffin was concerned about Stricklin’s meddling and how they would mesh, later telling confidants he had a ‘weird vibe’ about the situation.”
LSU would enter the picture a short while later with the Oct. 26 firing of Brian Kelly, a move that ignited an onslaught of coaching rumors before this weekend’s resolution.
Florida officially took itself out of the Kiffin sweepstakes Friday and pivoted to Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, with the parties making things official Sunday.
The Gators also set their sights on former Jaguars GM David Caldwell to serve the same post in the program.
As for Kiffin, his turbulent departure from Oxford to Baton Rouge unfolded over a multi-day span following what would be his final game with the Rebels, Friday’s 38-19 Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State.
“After a lot of prayer and time spent with family, I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,” Kiffin wrote in a statement shared on X.
“… 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.”
Former defensive coordinator Pete Golding was elevated to permanent head coach in Kiffin’s place.
Kiffin is expected to make $91 million across seven years at LSU, according to Nola.com. which noted the deal boasts performance-based bonuses.
