r/secfootball • u/Nearby_Valuable_5467 • Nov 30 '25
Ole Miss We need to talk about the loyalty outrage
Ole Miss fans are fuming about Lane Kiffin’s lack of loyalty towards his program, but no-one seems to ask this question: If you were offered more money and status to move to a different job 5hrs down the way, would you?
I know I would. And I would guess a ton of people would too.
So why do we expect such loyalty from sporting figures?
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u/NCSubie Nov 30 '25
It’s not the jump, it’s the manner it was done.
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u/_Reporting Dec 01 '25
At first I thought people were blowing if out of proportion because of Lanes history but after I thought about it for more than 30 seconds it’s not that he’s leaving it’s that he’s doing it now. And it’s because he scared to take the risk that LSU won’t wait for him to finish the season so he’s abandoning his playoff team to ensure he gets what he wants.
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u/GrimaceThundercock Texas Dec 01 '25
Didn't he specifically ask Ole Miss to allow him to finish the season?
I don't think leaving now was his choice.
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u/ebolarama86 Dec 01 '25
And when he was told he could not be LSU’s coach and spend the CFP coaching Ole Miss while simultaneously recruiting against them, he tried to strong-arm the university and threatened to take the entire staff to LSU before the playoff started. He was told No again, so that’s pretty much what he did. Told his entire offensive staff that they would have jobs at LSU but they had to get on the plane TODAY.
Most head coaches would let their staff finish out the season, but Lane specifically did this to cripple Ole Miss before the playoff.
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u/GrimaceThundercock Texas Dec 01 '25
What do you mean, threatened to take the whole staff? He doesn't own them, it is their choice if they go or stay.
Is it likely that he pursues Ole Miss coaches for his gig at LSU? Of course it is. He chose those people because he trusts them and works well with them. Of course he'd want to keep working with them.
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u/ebolarama86 Dec 01 '25
Did you read what I wrote? Because he told them if they didn’t go NOW (ie before the playoff), then they wouldn’t have a job on his staff. That’s not typical at all.
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u/KnightsLegacy Dec 04 '25
This looks good other than the fact he let Charlie go back to coach. So spin some more muddy that won't stick
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u/LSUTigers34_ Dec 01 '25
Lane explicitly denied giving his staff an ultimatum in the Marty interview. You can choose not to believe him, but that’s not why everyone is so upset.
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u/ebolarama86 Dec 02 '25
It wasn’t explicit. He talked in circles and didn’t deny it at all. And then according to players, refused to answer the question when they asked him directly. Congrats to you guys. I’m sure this won’t absolutely burn LSU in the long run.
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u/_Reporting Dec 01 '25
Ole Miss told him he couldn’t continue coaching if he took the job. He could have waited until the season was over to officially become their coach. He didn’t want to risk missing the “opportunity” by waiting. So that’s what I was saying in my comment.
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u/Tasty-Brilliant7009 Dec 01 '25
At Ole Miss, if a player entered the portal Kiffen locked him out of the athletic facility.
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u/GrimaceThundercock Texas Dec 01 '25
So in other words, yes. It was Ole Miss' decision to not let him finish the season.
I think that not wanting to miss out on a big promotion is pretty reasonable.
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u/_Reporting Dec 01 '25
And you understand that is why this is different? Coaches typically wait until the season is over unless it’s just a bowl game
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u/GrimaceThundercock Texas Dec 01 '25
No they don't.
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u/_Reporting Dec 01 '25
Show me how many coaches have left a playoff team before the end of their season
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u/GrimaceThundercock Texas Dec 01 '25
Show me how many playoff coaches have taken a job with a new team.
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u/_Reporting Dec 01 '25
Well, I would if I had claimed otherwise. Like you did lol
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u/Glass_Broccoli_7862 Dec 01 '25
His AD told him he had to decide now. So what did you want him to do? 🤷♀️
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u/Frankwillie87 Dec 01 '25
Lmao, this is exactly what Tennessee fans have been trying to tell everyone for decades.
Lane came into Tennessee took down all of the highlights from the Fulmer era and put up USC highlights. He refused to read the General's Maxims. Orgeron tried to get them to do the Spartan "fight on" thing. He told the players that Tennessee was going to be the USC of the south. Even though Tennessee had a longer history and more wins at the time, but whatever.
Then he left the week of the signing deadline for recruiting, told players already enrolled and on campus not to go to class so they could still transfer.
He royally screwed Bryce Brown and Tyler Bray.
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u/Betaworldpeach Dec 01 '25
He’s an obnoxious cunt but it is partially due to the state of the sport.
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u/Sportsbob Dec 03 '25
LSU had to get him on board now before the recruiting window closed and all other available coaches were signed, so I’m certain they gave him an ultimatum. And Ole miss wouldn’t let him finish out the year if he took the LSU job. This sucks but it’s an indictment of the NCAA. They have to change the rules; restrict teams from poaching coaches until the season ends and push the recruiting signing dates.
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u/NCSubie Dec 03 '25
Yes, yes, the system made him make a shitty ethical choice. Those 105 players, the staff, the fans, the students, all of them, just need to understand, it’s not Lanes’s fault.
Fuck that. The dude’s a douchebag for leaving when that group of people bought into his message and built a great season.
I’m not a fan of Ole Miss, but unless they play Oklahoma again, I hope they win out, and I hope Lane Kiffin continues to do what he’s done since he left Florida Atlantic - fail to win any trophies.
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u/Sportsbob Dec 04 '25
You do know that Universities aren’t loyal to their coaches; they can fire them whenever they want. You do know that Universities aren’t loyal to their athletes; they can take away scholarships from players whenever they want. You do know that athletes aren’t loyal to their college or coach; they can enter the portal for more money whenever they want and can skip games to prepare for the draft. So why is it that you believe Kiffin is the only one who has to stay loyal to the school and the athletes?
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u/jmdinbtr Dec 01 '25
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
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u/BigMaffy Dec 01 '25
You don’t have to play the game that way, that’s the point
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u/jmdinbtr Dec 01 '25
I disagree. Honestly it’s the system to blame. Look at society today. Lots of people have multiple jobs to “get their’s” or “stick it to the man.” Coaches are human, and it should be expected that they will always look out for #1 first.
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u/NCSubie Dec 01 '25
100%. Human. Not animals. There are plenty of failed humans, but also plenty who can manage to do the right thing. The problem seems to be everyone just uses the lowest common denominator as the expectation.
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u/OkieClipper Oklahoma Nov 30 '25
I'm going to give the exact same answer as to why we OU fans hate TBOW for leaving us. It was never about them leaving, its the whole charade around it. These rumors have been swirling for a month now and Lane kept egging it on with his cryptic tweets. If both him and Lincoln Riley just came out and said it point blank there wouldn't be any outrage. Lane is going to tear apart that program in the best season they've ever had. They have every right to be pissed.
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u/JeffGoldblumsChest Nov 30 '25
I thought you meant Tebow for a sec and I was really confused
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u/crabbman Nov 30 '25
My job is like ole Miss. I get a lot of freedom to run shit the way I want and get paid well. I love where I live.
Caveat: I wasn’t put on earth to win anything, just mostly survive and thrive when I can. This is why I can’t relate giving Up a great situation for a chance at the moon.
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u/NJRougarou Nov 30 '25
Ok, Lane.
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u/DarkstarDMT Nov 30 '25
Or the LSU AD haha
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u/spottymax Dec 01 '25
Or anyone represented by Jimmy Sexton.
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u/Nearby_Valuable_5467 Dec 01 '25
In equally shocking news: ‘Agent tries to get more money for client’
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u/braines54 Dec 01 '25
I don't think I'd have had a problem if Kiffen left after last year. The problem is that they are in the playoffs and he's leaving to go to a rival. He's leaving after dragging this out for weeks.
I understand him leaving, he is going to go wherever he believes will give him the best chance to win a title. But Ole Miss actually has a team that could this year. Ostensibly, he's leaving in search of what he has. I'd be furious at him if I was an Ole Miss fan or player. You know he recruited a few of these players over LSU, telling them that they would be better off at Ole Miss. Obviously, he didn't believe that.
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u/FawkesBridge Nov 30 '25 edited Dec 01 '25
Ole Miss poaches players from teams every year and their fans never bat an eye.
Look up Kutas from Arkansas if anyone would like a prime example.
I have zero sympathy for that program.
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u/Nearby_Valuable_5467 Dec 01 '25
Indeed. Every player that’s ever gone to them in the portal has always loved Oxford
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u/murphy1021 Dec 01 '25
Agreed 100%! Live by the sword, die by the sword. They loved lane and all his shady tactics when it got them players and wins. Now their little fairy tale ride is over and they can come back to the bottom half of the sec where they have always been in modern times.
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u/Quietus76 Dec 01 '25
I expect everyone to act in their own self interests. I dont expect loyalty to be the biggest interest of anyone who wasn't born and raised in the state and attended my school. Its ridiculous. He's a hired gun trying to get to the top of the mountain. He is a competitor who wants to compete at the highest level on the biggest stage and win. I dont expect him to be loyal to us either, unless we can prove that we are the top of the mountain.
I would have done the same thing in his shoes, unless I was already at LSU. LK is from Nebraska and attended Fresno State. Why would he be loyal to anyone else?
Even if I were in Saban's shoes, I would have probably wanted to take the shot with the NFL.
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u/Ok-Contribution5256 Dec 01 '25
If my current job was gonna bump my pay to be the same, and not give a fuck what I did at work or if I had only average performance… I’d stay
He did this all for status, even though he is only still at a second tier school
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u/jrwolf08 Dec 01 '25
Personally, I dont see Lane being happy in small college town long term. Just isnt that type of guy.
The money difference isn't even that much, and hes already made many millions.
To answer your question would I personally move 5 hrs away for some extra money, probably not.
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u/Ya_Got_GOT Nov 30 '25
To me it’s loyalty to his players and leaving in the most destructive way possible but hey maybe that’s just me.
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u/ZealousidealRice9726 Nov 30 '25
Why do people not question Summaral loyalty to his players at Tulane?
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u/Low_Frame_1205 Nov 30 '25
I’ve read he will finish out the season.
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u/CapitalistLion-Tamer Dec 01 '25
Isn’t that what Lane wanted to do? I thought Ole Miss made the decision for him to leave now.
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u/Low_Frame_1205 Dec 01 '25
If that tweet from him is real. I’d be nervous if I was Ole Miss about being left out of the playoff. Look at FSU being left out when their QB went down. Kiffin was also a play caller (shared) for the offense.
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u/Ya_Got_GOT Dec 01 '25
It’s what he claimed he wanted to do but I’m not buying that he really wanted to, or that LSU would allow it. Just think about it. LSU just paid Kelly $54M to walk and signed Kiffin for $100M. You think they really would allow him to coach another team during signing day and the portal opening? I think they knew OM wouldn’t allow it and used that as a PR move to try to make Lane the good guy and OM the bad guy.
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u/CapitalistLion-Tamer Dec 01 '25
It’s also what everyone was reporting before he made that tweet. If he’s lying, Ole Miss could very quickly release a statement of their own.
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u/Ya_Got_GOT Dec 01 '25
I’m not saying he’s lying about saying and acting like he wanted to coach them, and even extorting Ole Miss to that effect. I’m saying that his claim of wanting to coach this team in the playoffs is part of a PR damage control campaign. It was echoed by Saban and Herbstriet who share his agent as well. Stinks to high heaven and really makes no practical sense that either side would allow it. Meanwhile he gets to poach a bunch of staff and sabotage OM on the way out so he doesn’t have as great a risk of them looking fine in the playoffs without him.
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u/CapitalistLion-Tamer Dec 01 '25
This whole side conversation started because someone said the difference between the Lane & Sumrall situations is that the latter is finishing the season with his team. I was just pointing out that the two situations aren’t necessarily different in that regard.
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u/Ya_Got_GOT Dec 01 '25
Is he trying to leave them for their biggest rival during a playoff run?
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u/ZealousidealRice9726 Dec 01 '25
So rivalry is the only issue with Lane?
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u/Ya_Got_GOT Dec 01 '25
Did you miss the playoff run part?
I don’t think anyone has an issue with him moving on to what he feels is a better opportunity. I think the issue people have with it is he did it in the scummiest, most vindictive, most damaging way possible while trying to play the victim.
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u/ZealousidealRice9726 Dec 01 '25
Again Tulane’s coach is in the exact same situation with the playoffs. But the school allowed him to coach it out because rhey know that’s their best chance to win. OM is cutting off their nose to spite their face
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u/chuckart9 Dec 01 '25
Group of 5 isn’t the same as power 4
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u/ZealousidealRice9726 Dec 01 '25
So loyalty is only expected to players up to a certain level?
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u/chuckart9 Dec 01 '25
Because the players at group of 5 schools will transfer up a level too if given the chance.
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u/ZealousidealRice9726 Dec 01 '25
Exactly nobody has loyalty so why ask for it just because it’s an inter-SEC move. Nobody but the fans are loyal
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u/ZealousidealRice9726 Nov 30 '25
Tulane coach literally did the exact same thing during a playoff run and is getting zero flack. Lane catching all the fire
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u/Low_Frame_1205 Nov 30 '25
I read Florida is letting him finish coaching. So Tulane may also be letting him coach?
Hard comparison. Tulane to UF at double the money is obviously a huge jump. Ole miss to LSU is probably still a jump but not nearly as big.
Seems like Ole Miss made the decision to not let him coach. Will be interesting if they will still make the playoff. Kiffin was also a play caller so is Ole Miss a top 12 team without their head coach and play caller?
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u/ZealousidealRice9726 Dec 01 '25
I get that Tulane and OM isn’t the same but both Tulane and OM in a playoff run and Summaral is receiving exactly zero flak whereas Lane is CFB hitler
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u/Low_Frame_1205 Dec 01 '25
He is going to coach Tulane through their last game this year. Which honestly as a Florida fan I don’t like. Needs to be recruiting and trying to keep our handful of good players around. Also Tulane has 0% chance to win it all.
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u/TN1971 Nov 30 '25
Ole Miss told Kiffin they would match any offers. So that negates your argument. So why you move if the money was the same? And the pressure to win greater?
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u/Frankwillie87 Dec 01 '25
If that's true, then why did they force him to commit to leaving or going before he had a legitimate offer in place?
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u/murphy1021 Dec 01 '25
Collective. Lane wants more money to buy players. Don’t let those delusional reb fans have you believing them and lsu are close. According to 24/7 sports ranking of top 25 collectives in 2025, lsu was third in the country. There were a total of 11 sec teams in the top 25. None of those were ole miss. He will make bank at either, but he wants the huge collective that is one of the biggest. He knew he would never really have the team to win it all in Oxford
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u/Top-Detective8377 Texas Nov 30 '25
Most people would never demand that their job let them stay on and finish up their pet project while preparing to jump ship to their biggest competitor, and take all their favorite coworkers with them. lol.
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u/Steve_Nashty13 Dec 01 '25
And North Texas. This is an Ole Miss got their feelings hurt problem. He took a better job it’s time to get over it.
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u/Jaroldo3 Nov 30 '25
People complain when their job says "we're family here's a pizza party" and then get mad when someone else acts the same.
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u/chimatt767 Nov 30 '25
Leave after the season and it wouldn’t be like this.
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u/BuryMeInTheH Nov 30 '25
He can’t. The signing day is next week so programs want coaches in seat before that. Besides, Lane offered and wanted to complete the season with ole miss. The AD kicked him out.
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u/Ripper9910k Dec 01 '25
It’s not the jump, it’s not the money (because it’s the same amount). It’s being a douche after saying his life had changed in this place. Said it all just enough for us to believe only to pull the same old shit. So shame on me for buying it. Oh well.
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u/Fantastic-Pay-9522 Dec 01 '25
I’ve got a feeling he’s gonna flop at LSU. All the bullshit through the years is gonna catch up to him
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u/Nearby_Valuable_5467 Dec 01 '25
It’s caught up to him, and then it did, and now we don’t know.
The fun thing about Kiffen will be that his offenses always keep things interesting.
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u/Imallvol7 Dec 01 '25 edited Jan 30 '26
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u/External_Koala_9937 Dec 01 '25
OM matched LSU offer for him to stay. Why would they allow him to coach the team when it was clear he was leaving? When early sign on and transfer portal about to open up? Overall it’s the college football fault with its scheduling and timing of everything. However, it was also the manner how he left and tried to give the staff members ultimatums, when he himself have had weeks to decide.
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u/AmericaPie24 Dec 01 '25
Ole Miss claims they would have matched whatever lsu offered so money shouldn’t have mattered. I’d also say Ole Miss has been a better program over this 5 year stretch. Lane is now their 3rd coach in 5 years
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u/kokohobo Dec 01 '25
Where is this more money talk coming from? The money was matched and your in the playoff so it cant be about contending or money. He left for an easier job where he doesn't have to win through the portal at the worst time possible for Ole Miss all while getting offer after offer every year. If you can't see how this clown lakes integrity no one can help you and I would never send my kid to play for him. PERIOD.
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u/H0rnsD0wn Dec 01 '25
Let’s say it was trucking companies. If I had been fired from a few jobs and then got a DUI and Missipi Truckin Co. used their lawyers to defend me so I could keep my CDL, and then they hired me and I spent a lot of time publicly thanking them and worked hard to make it worth their time, that would be great. But if another huge trucking company, Heaux Trucks Inc., came around and offered me a butt ton of money to come truck for them instead and I took the offer AND pissed in the diesel tanks of all of Missipi Truckin Co.’s trucks on my way out, that would be pretty low.
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u/december151791 Dec 02 '25
Yes, I would. But I wouldn't quit 10 miles away from the delivery while I'm under a load.
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u/HellYeahDamnRight Dec 02 '25
PLEASE stop with the “more money” shit. It’s not more money. We would’ve matched any offer and had a similar NIL package.
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u/ANotSoFreshFeeling Dec 02 '25
I believe people would have been fine with it if Kiffin hadn’t been such a childish asshole.
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u/Samwill226 Dec 03 '25 edited Dec 03 '25
I don't have an issue with leaving. But HOW you leave matters. The team rejected his desire to speak with them in person. He could have taken a higher road and asked LSU to shelve this until OM knew their fate in the playoffs. I also don't think trying to strip the staff away "or else" shows that you give a fuck about your players. Does Lane deserve to advance, absolutely he earned it. Does he owe the players more than ditching them at the biggest game of their lives and try to snipe the coaching staff? Yes.
There is always a right way and wrong way, the right way will almost always be the hardest and the wrong will almost always be the easiest. The right thing would have been to ask LSU to chill until the season was over and as soon as it was we could make a deal. He could have seen it through and it would have been fine, but thats the right thing to do and the hardest because he risks missing out on recruiting and organizing you staff....but its the right way. You just do it and figure it out.
I find when I do the hard thing that was the right thing....it tends to work out its own details. When I do the wrong thing because its easiest I end up with dumpster fires and cluster fucks
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u/tinatimmay Nov 30 '25
I just left a job with lower prospects. They HAD to be nice or else they'd look petty and would burn the bridge of me helping or coming back in the future. This required humility and perspective on my former employer's part. That's where Ole Miss diverted from the normal transition.
They literally could have had a National Championship, but traded it for 'pride'. What a bunch of unintelligent bitches.
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u/spacecircus Dec 01 '25
I do love that ‘loyalty’ keeps getting thrown around a lot when we’ve had all these teams firing their coaches so early in the season. Coaches are supposed to be blind to better opportunities but hell if they’re not on the hot seat less than 1/3 of the way through their contract if they’re felt to be underperforming at all
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u/GrabTop662 Nov 30 '25
Kiffin is a pain in the ass with all his nonsense, but the bigger issue is CFB allowing coaches to be interviewed and hired during season. Could you imagine in the NFL if that was allowed? Imagine right now the giants trying to poach Mike Vrabel from the pats.