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As LSU, Penn State and other powerhouse college football programs search for their next head coach, Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin remains the subject of speculation.
Former NFL punter and current ESPN personality Pat McAfee is among those who don’t want Kiffin to even think about leaving Oxford, Mississippi.
McAfee, the West Virginia University alum, was delivering his piece on ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday when the topic of Kiffin came up.
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“College GameDay” sportscaster Pat McAfee on set before the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on August 30, 2025. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
“I’d like to say that if Lane Kiffin is listening… you can be happy and content, brother,” McAfee said. “You’re allowed to be in one place and have massive success. You’re allowed to build a place from the ground up. You’re allowed to become a GOAT in a place. I think there’s a feeling among a lot of coaches, like, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get to this job, you’ve got to get to this job.'”
Speculation increased about Kiffin to LSU after it was reported that university executives and athletic administrators had finalized the terms of a massive contract proposal for Kiffin, who has a 115-53 career coaching record in college football between Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss. LSU parted ways with Brian Kelly after three straight losses to ranked opponents earlier this season.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter as well as university president Glenn Boyce spoke Friday afternoon with Kiffin to discuss his future. Carter issued a statement after the meeting, ultimately saying Kiffin’s future would be decided next Saturday after the annual Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. It marks the final regular season game for the No. 6 Rebels.
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How much is LSU willing to give Kiffin, who owns a 54-19 record with the Rebels since taking over in 2020? While contract negotiations remain fluid, Yahoo Sports reported that executives have discussed a seven-year, incentive-filled pact worth at least $90 million.
That would make Kiffin the highest-paid college football coach in the country.
It’s also worth noting that LSU intends to pledge “significant NIL and revenue share investments in excess of $25 million,” which would give Kiffin, one of the nation’s top recruiters, vast resources to source top talent in all 50 states. NIL resources are crucial for coaches to recruit the players needed to produce winning seasons in today’s college game.
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin speaks to the media during SEC Media Day at the Omni Atlanta Hotel on July 14, 2025. (Jordan Godfree/Image Images)
At the same time, Florida, which fired Billy Napier earlier this season, hopes to lure Kiffin to Gainesville to revive a program desperate to return to the top of the college football rankings.
Now, both programs, and perhaps others, are well aware that Kiffin has a good thing going with the Rebels, who are primed for a College Football Playoff berth this season. They will continue their due diligence on other training targets, but Kiffin will remain a top candidate until a decision is made.
It is a difficult situation for the current Rebels players, who are fighting to reach the CFP. Given the public nature of Kiffin’s situation, McAfee understands what they’re going through.
While with the Mountaineers, former coach Rich Rodriguez left WVU to go to Michigan. While McAfee understands it from a player’s perspective, Rodriguez’s time in Ann Arbor did not prove fruitful.
Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin watches his team play against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
“RichRod went to Michigan. He’s back in West Virginia. If he never left, that guy probably has the whole university named after him,” McAfee said, adding to his argument for Kiffin staying at Ole Miss.
There’s a long week ahead in Oxford and around college football as everyone tunes in to see where Kiffin’s future lies.
