Lane Kiffin Alternative Emerges for Ole Miss Before Playoff

By Andrew McCartyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Lane Kiffin is just one day away from potentially coaching his final game for the Ole Miss Rebels. If the head coach decides to leave Ole Miss for either Florida or LSU, college football insider Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported the school is expected to forbid Kiffin from coaching in the College Football Playoff.

"There does seem to be an ultimatum this week: Sign a lucrative extension with the program or leave immediately for another job. If he chooses to leave, Kiffin is not expected to coach the playoff — a decision that school officials have arrived at over the past several weeks (not such a surprise given Kiffin’s actions up to this point)," Dellenger reported.

As Kiffin prepares for the rivalry game against Mississippi State on Friday, though, an alternative was urged by the USA Today.

More College Football: Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin Sends Telling Message on Future as Florida, LSU Wait

Lane Kiffin might not be allowed to coach in the playoff.

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More College Football: Lane Kiffin’s Immediate Ole Miss Replacement Revealed

Matt Hayes of the USA Today suggested Ole Miss shouldn't move on like a "jilted lover" if Kiffin decides to accept either the Florida or LSU job.

"Why would Ole Miss willfully prohibit Kiffin, who gives the Rebels the best chance at advancing deep in the playoff, from coaching the team? And give give it to quarterbacks coach Joe Judge, whose last tenure as head coach included 10 wins in two seasons with the New York Giants," Hayes questioned.

Instead, he offered the alternative of allowing Kiffin to remain as the coach for the playoff run.

"This isn’t that difficult, people. Let’s say Kiffin chooses LSU or Florida, both of which would do anything to hire him — including allowing him to coach Ole Miss in the CFP," Hayes said. "Kiffin isn’t going to be torn about who he’s working for; he’s playing for the national flipping championship. Meanwhile, Ole Miss can hire a coach, too, with the understanding he’s not part of the place until the CFP run is over."

It would certainly be a different approach, but one that might be needed if Ole Miss wants to compete for a national title - and Kiffin wants to win one.

More College Football: Ole Miss Penalty Being ‘Considered’ if Lane Kiffin Leaves for Florida, LSU

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