Potential Lane Kiffin Replacements Revealed As Future With Ole Miss 'In Doubt'

Kiffin has "intentions to leave for LSU" amid decision reveal, Ole Miss pivoting to other candidates.

Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin stands with his players before a game against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin remains in headlines this week as the Rebels and LSU Tigers continue their pursuit for the most popular shot-caller on the market.

In what has become a two-team race between the pair of SEC programs, Kiffin's pending decision has quickly emerged as the storyline of the 2025 season.

No. 7 Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC) further cemented the program's chances at a College Football Playoff berth on Friday, but Kiffin remains non-committal to a return.

As the clock ticks on a decision, multiple reports have pointed in the direction of the LSU Tigers gaining confidence, but a delay in an official decision sits in the hands of Ole Miss officials.

According to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, there appears to be a definitive reason behind his inability to make a decision. Kiffin wants to coach in the College Football Playoff for Ole Miss, despite intentions of leaving for LSU.

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

According to Yahoo Sports, "Lane Kiffin’s future hangs in doubt after a meeting at the UM chancellor’s home over whether he may continue to coach despite intentions to leave for LSU.

"As they have now for a week, LSU officials believe they hold Lane Kiffin’s commitment to be their next coach, though his desire to continue coaching Ole Miss in the postseason is a snag delaying the formalization of the move."

With Kiffin stating his intentions to depart Ole Miss, the Rebels administration has starting vetting candidates to replace the current shot-caller.

Update: LSU executives and Lane Kiffin's reps held a call after the Tigers game at OU to continue solidifying the deal with travel plans: The university is sending two planes to Oxford on Sunday for Kiffin, his family & others, sources tell @YahooSports.https://t.co/rKDHmY8JwP https://t.co/VgKewdoEFZ

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 30, 2025

"AD Keith Carter has already began engaging with candidates, notably Jon Sumrall & Alex Golesh," Yahoo Sports wrote. "However, Florida pivoted from Kiffin to Sumrall, as reported Tuesday at Yahoo. Gators are believed to have a deal in principle. Final decision Sunday."

Tulane's Jon Sumrall and South Florida's Alex Golesh have emerged as the pair of names to monitor in the race for a new decision-maker as Kiffin's future in Oxford remains in doubt.

Now, with no official word from Kiffin as of 10 p.m. CT, all eyes are on the current Rebels shot-caller as his future with Ole Miss sits in doubt, according to Yahoo Sports.

More Ole Miss News:

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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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