Nick Saban’s Surprising Endorsement: Why Ole Miss Should Back Lane Kiffin in CFP Despite LSU Ties

There’s a storm brewing around Lane Kiffin and it’s not just about the X’s and O’s on the field. The big swirling question isn’t merely where Kiffin’s future lies—it’s the seismic decision looming over his role with Ole Miss as the Rebels clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff. What’s got everyone on edge is this: if Kiffin makes a move to another team, will Ole Miss stand firm and let their head coach remain at the helm during the postseason? Nick Saban, the venerable architect of Alabama’s dynasty and a former mentor to Kiffin, weighed in, advocating for loyalty to the squad and a chance for Kiffin to finish what he started. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit throws in a healthy dose of realism, painting the challenge Ole Miss faces trying to balance emotions and tough decisions when all eyes are glued to what could be a magical run. It’s a tremulous balancing act that blends allegiance, ambition, and the stark reality of college football’s recruiting battles. Buckle up, because this tale is far from over. LEARN MORE

The biggest question surrounding Lane Kiffin is his future at Ole Miss.

Perhaps the second biggest question is, if Kiffin were to announce his departure from the Rebels, would the Ole Miss administration allow him to coach in the College Football Playoff? Following Friday’s win over rival Mississippi State, the Rebels are a shoo-in for the 12-team playoff field.

Nick Saban, who employed Kiffin at Alabama, suggested Ole Miss should allow Kiffin to coach the Rebels during the playoff run. He also opened up about what he thinks is going into Kiffin’s thought process about switching jobs.

HAYES: Lane Kiffin drama has reached peak stupidity, should surprise no one

“I think they should let Lane coach his team, number one,” Saban said on ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’. “But I think Lane’s decision is going to come down to one thing. And that thing is just what Marty said: ‘Where is the place that I can recruit the best players?’

“And I think one of Lane’s apprehensions is that he’s had to use the portal to build his team at Ole Miss each year. And at LSU he probably could recruit better talent and then supplement his team by need with the portal. And that’s probably the dilemma that he has, as well as his loyalty to his team that he’s coaching now, that he wants to be able to continue to coach. So this is a tough thing to have the right answer to.”

Fellow ESPN analyst agreed with Saban that Ole Miss should let Kiffin coach in the CFP, but admitted it’s a tricky situation.

“The tricky part is the year Ole Miss is having. Forgetting Atlanta and the SEC Championship, this team is the team you don’t wanna play in the CFP right now,” Kirk Herbstreit said. “So I think if you’re in charge at Ole Miss and if Lane decides to go elsewhere, I think you need to set your emotions to the side. You need to look at 2025 and this team with their coach and give them a chance to finish this run. Whoever that might be.

“That’s the tricky part here. I think there’s no doubt if you talk to the players, some of them have come out and said, ‘We want our coach to coach us to the end.’ So I think Ole Miss’s administration is put in a very tough spot. Because if he were going to stay at Ole Miss — Eli Drinkwitz is already re-upped. Clark Lea is re-upped. Don’t you think we would’ve already seen he’s re-upping and staying at Ole Miss?

“So there’s chances are he’s going to Baton Rouge. I think Ole Miss has to accept that and look at this as a magical year. You’ve never done what you’re doing right now. Let Lane Kiffin — if he leaves — and these players finish the run this year.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit said about Lane Kiffin coaching in CFP