Lane Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss sparks backlash ahead of playoff run

Boos echoed through Oxford on Monday night as Ole Miss students publicly vented their frustration at head coach Lane Kiffin

(NBC)- Boos echoed through Oxford on Monday night as Ole Miss students publicly vented their frustration at head coach Lane Kiffin — just hours after he announced he’s leaving the Rebels before their first-ever college football playoff run.

Video from campus shows fans booing Kiffin as he made his way to face LSU, the program he’s expected to lead next season under a reported seven-year deal worth at least $12 million annually, according to ESPN. The Athletic reports the contract could make him the highest-paid coach in college football.

In a statement, Kiffin wrote that he will “forever cherish” his time at Ole Miss and will be rooting for the Rebels to “bring a championship to Oxford.” But his decision to exit before the postseason — and the school’s refusal to let him stay through the playoffs — is fueling controversy across the sport.

“This is not a Lane Kiffin conundrum. This is a college football conundrum,” ESPN’s College GameDay panel said, calling for new rules that prevent coaches from leaving mid-season. Legendary coach Nick Saban added, “In the NFL, you cannot leave your team until you’re finished playing.”

Kiffin reportedly asked Ole Miss for permission to remain with the team through the playoff run, but the request was denied. Analysts say the move leaves players and the program in a tough position.

“There’s no way to fix this,” The Athletic noted. “He wants that job, and he’s going to have to deal with the consequences that come with that.”

As the Rebels prepare for their historic postseason, Kiffin’s exit is testing loyalty in the locker room and reigniting debate about coaching transitions in college football.