Lane Kiffin Denies “Ultimatum” Amid LSU & Florida Coaching Rumors Ahead of Egg Bowl
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Lane Kiffin finds himself at the center of swirling speculation — and he’s pushing back hard. With his Rebels sitting at 10–1 and headed toward the Egg Bowl on November 28, rumors are growing that LSU and Florida are circling for the Ole Miss coach. But Kiffin insists there’s no waist-high deadline for a decision.
No Ultimatum, According to Kiffin
Reports surfaced that Ole Miss had given Kiffin until the end of the regular season (the Egg Bowl) to choose whether to stay or leave for LSU or Florida. SI+2theScore.com+2
On “The Pat McAfee Show,” however, Kiffin denied those claims: “There’s been no ultimatum, anything like that at all.” Yahoo Sports+1 He emphasized that he’s “having a blast” in Oxford and loves his current role. Yahoo Sports+2WSLS+2
Frustration in the Midst of Success
Kiffin’s tone has grown pointed in recent remarks. When asked whether he expects to coach in the Egg Bowl, he replied:
“Why would I not expect to coach next week? … We’re game-planning, we just practiced. I don’t even understand how that would happen.” Yardbarker
His comments reflect his frustration with the persistent narrative, especially as the Rebels are amid one of their best seasons under his leadership. SI
The Bigger Picture: Coaching Demand & Program Stability
It’s no secret Kiffin is a hot commodity. Both LSU and Florida have coaching vacancies, and Kiffin’s name is frequently linked to both. WSLS+1 Still, Ole Miss appears determined to retain him — their athletic director, Keith Carter, has reportedly told Kiffin they’ll “do whatever it takes” to keep him. WSLS+1
Kiffin’s refusal to publicly entertain the exit chatter could suggest he’s weighing his options on his own timetable — or simply focused on closing out the season strongly with Ole Miss.
What’s Next
- Egg Bowl, Nov. 28: A key moment, both for the rivalry and potentially for Kiffin’s future.
- Recruiting and Portal Pressure: With college football’s high-stakes calendar, Ole Miss may want clarity soon to stabilize recruiting and staff planning. Los Angeles Times
- Contract talks: Whether Kiffin stays or goes, expect negotiations behind the scenes — especially if multiple programs are knocking.
