Lane Kiffin Seeking Advice From Nick Saban Amid Ole Miss Football, LSU Decision

Kiffin will rely on the college football icon to assist in a decision, Rebels battling Tigers for his services.
Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and head coach Lane Kiffin react after defeating the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and head coach Lane Kiffin react after defeating the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

There is no bigger name on the coaching carousel this fall than Ole Miss Rebels' Lane Kiffin with all eyes on where he will call the shots in 2026.

In what emerged as a three-team battle between Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida, the Gators were ultimately eliminated from contention on Friday as Kiffin focuses on the Rebels and Tigers.

No. 7 Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC) further cemented the program's College Football Playoff chances on Friday after taking down the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville.

“So I’m just really happy for our fans, for our players, and you know, all the stuff they’ve done with all week, from outside people saying that they were distracting to his noise," Kiffin said on Friday.

Ole Miss Rebels Football.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin answers questions from the press after a college football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State 38-19 in the Egg Bowl. | Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"And this is what these guys do. They’ve been dealing there for a long time. So I think it actually brings them together, and they play like that because of all the stuff outside.”

Now, a decision is set to be revealed on Saturday between Ole Miss and LSU with all eyes on which program will win the Kiffin sweepstakes.

But there is an icon in Kiffin's corner helping him along the way: Nick Saban.

Earlier this week, Saban revealed he's been speaking with Kiffin as he helps him navigate the decision between LSU and Ole Miss.

“I try to give him my perspective from my experience,” Saban said during a Wednesday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

“I’ve been in a few situations like this, whether it was when I was the defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns going to Michigan State – I stayed there and finished the season, hired five guys to run the Michigan State program while we finished the last four or five games of the year with the Browns and went to the playoffs.

"So, I think everybody has to manage their situation relative to where their heart is and what they feel.”

Now, as "Decision Day" arrives, all eyes are on Kiffin as he prepares to reveal where he will be coaching in 2026 amid an Ole Miss versus LSU battle.

More Ole Miss News:

National Analyst Believes Miami Dolphins Should Hire Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss Football Great Doubles Down on Lane Kiffin to Florida Gators 'Not Happening'

Tony Vitello Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin in Goodbye to Tennessee

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Zack Nagy
ZACK NAGY

Zack Nagy is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Ole Miss Rebels On SI, a Sports Illustrated Publication. Nagy has covered Rebel Football, Baseball, Basketball and Recruiting, looking to keep readers updated on anything and everything involving Ole Miss athletics. Nagy has covered the Southeastern Conference for over half a decade after being born and raised in New Orleans (La.).

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