Leading up to most Egg Bowl games, conversations throughout Mississippi typically surround the game itself. However, with the ever-growing likelihood of a coaching change in Oxford, Lane Kiffin has been the talk of the town.
Kiffin has overshadowed the Magnolia State’s largest college football rivalry game this season due to the speculation that he will be leaving Ole Miss to become the next head coach at Auburn, something former Ole Miss coach Tommy Tuberville did in 1998.
According to SportsTalk Mississippi host Richard Cross, Lane Kiffin has all but accepted an offer to fill the vacant coaching position at Auburn despite Ole Miss’ efforts to retain him through a lucrative contract extension.
“Lane Kiffin chose Auburn over Ole Miss, and there’s nothing Ole Miss could have done about it — nothing,” Cross said in an interview on The Gallo Show. “Ole Miss did right by Lane Kiffin every single step of the way for three years.”
Though Kiffin has not signed an official contract naming him the Tigers’ next head coach, it is mostly a foregone conclusion. Cross added that not only has the Ole Miss head coach interviewed to replace Bryan Harsin, who was fired late October, but he has also actively pursued the Auburn job.
“They are not just rumors. They absolutely are legitimate. Lane Kiffin’s representation has been talking to Auburn for weeks now. Period,” Cross continued. “When you get into the semantics game, Lane Kiffin does not officially have an offer — yet — from John Cohen to be the next head football coach at Auburn. You agree to everything, then I hand you a piece of paper with a fancy, glossy logo on it that says, ‘This is your offer for employment.’”
The expected departure of Kiffin will present a fair share of immediate issues at Ole Miss. Players who have yet to transfer will presumably have an opportunity to follow Kiffin to Auburn without penalty. Other players who may be fearful of Ole Miss’ future will also have the opportunity to find a new home and prominent coaches from other programs will be chomping at the bit to poach talented players — specifically Quinshon Judkins
“Guys that have not transferred, previously, can theoretically follow Lane Kiffin to Auburn or if they want to go play for Nick Saban at Alabama, they can do that. Who are you talking about [in this scenario]? Clearly you’re talking about Quinshon Judkins. He’s the best running back in the SEC this year and one of the best in the entire country, and he’s a true freshman,” Cross added. “Ole Miss is going to do everything that it can possibly do to convince him to stay.”
Another obstacle that Ole Miss will have to hurdle rather swiftly will be naming Kiffin’s successor. Whoever steps into the role will have to convince the current players to buy in to his vision, while simultaneously recruiting the next class of athletes to fill roster spots.
“It also underscores the need for Keith Carter to move quickly in terms of finding a new coach and to make sure the guy that he gets is a great option because that guy has to immediately come in and try to re-recruit his existing roster knowing that the transfer portal window opens on December 5,” Cross stated.
While Carter will have to find a new coach to fill big shoes, the cupboard isn’t bare. Ole Miss’ recent surge in NIL investment paired with a willingness to give a coach a lucrative contract makes the job attractive to other respected professionals in the industry.
Watch the full interview with Richard Cross below.
The post Richard Cross: ‘I would be shocked’ if Kiffin remains Ole Miss head coach appeared first on SuperTalk Mississippi.