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Lane Kiffin posted a cryptic message Monday morning as the college football world deals with the fallout from his decision to leave Ole Miss to take the LSU Tigers head coaching job.
Kiffin announced his decision to leave the Rebels as the team is likely to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. Meanwhile, LSU will have to start over with a new head coach and hope to return to being the championship power it once was.
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Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 2, 2024. (Nelson Chenault/Imagn Images)
The coach made a post on X to start the day.
“Exhale. Have the best Monday ever,” he wrote, adding, “#GodsPlan.”
Along with the message, Kiffin attached a photo from a motivational book.
“Let the seams come undone and reform your whole life as you truly intended,” the passage reads. “When you are forced to let go, you are also asked to exhale. What does not hold is not meant to hold. If you are not sure, wait. Time reveals all truth, all knowledge, all reality that will arise. All will become clear.”
Kiffin told ESPN on Sunday as he left for Baton Rouge, La., that the decision to leave Ole Miss was “difficult.”
He said he wanted to stay and coach Ole Miss through the playoffs.
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Mississippi State fans hold signs referencing the potential departure of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin during a college football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“We went through a lot last night with (Ole Miss athletic director) Keith Carter trying to find a way to make this playoff work and be able to coach the team. And at the end of the day, it’s his decision and I totally respect it. I understand that decision,” he said.
“I just wish the team good luck, I’d love to coach. … I just hope they play really well and win the national championship.”
He added that he contacted Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban before making his decision.
“My heart was there. But I talked to some mentors – Coach Carroll, Coach Saban. Especially when Coach Carroll told me, ‘Your dad would tell you to go for it. Take the shot.’
“I always hated the way we gave Tennessee a year and left. I hated that feeling. I think we gave a lot to this program and this city and some of these historic wins in this stadium, the best regular season in school history. So, I’m proud of that part. But it’s time. I talked to God and he told me it’s time to take the next step. It’s a new chapter.”
Ole Miss named defensive coordinator Pete Golding as head coach to replace Kiffin.
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin speaks to the media during SEC Media Day at the Omni Atlanta Hotel on July 14, 2025. (Jordan Godfree/Imagn Images)
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Kiffin guided Ole Miss to its 11th victory of the season against Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.
