By Matt AudiletShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberOle Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is the top coaching target for both LSU and Florida as they continue the search for their respective program leaders. The Rebels are also hoping to retain Kiffin, kicking off a massive bidding war for the 50-year-old coach.
Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz had been identified as a secondary target for both LSU and Florida if they were unable to land Kiffin in this year's college football coaching carousel.
But on Thursday, Dricnkwitz and the Missouri program put that speculation to bed, agreeing to a six-year contract worth an average of $10.75 million per year.
Drinkwitz is now off the table as a backup coaching option behind Kiffin.
As such, Kiffin has a great deal of leverage in negotiations with each of his prospective programs.
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More Football: UCLA Linked to ‘Obvious’ Choice in Head Coaching Search
LSU, Florida and Ole Miss are each reportedly prepared to offer Kiffin a contract worth an annual value in the $13-14 million range. Last week, reports indicated that LSU already offered the Rebels coach a $90 million deal, plus an additional $25 million in "roster cash."
Kiffin has Ole Miss poised with a 10-1 record and No. 7 position in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Friday's Egg Bowl matchup against Mississippi State. After this regular-season finale, he's scheduled to announce a decision on his coaching future in a highly-anticipated press conference.
...More Football: Penn State ‘Involved’ With Bitter Big Ten Rival in Coaching Search: Report
The Rebels are in the midst of perhaps their best season in program history. Despite the noise that comes with these coaching rumors, the team is in strong position to compete for a College Football Playoff national championship.
"I'm sure you've got a lot of other questions but I'm just answering questions focused on the team and this season and our players," Kiffin said during a press conference earlier this week.
Friday's Egg Bowl matchup against Mississippi State will kickoff at noon ET.
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