Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin met with the media via the SEC Teleconference on Wednesday afternoon. With the rumors swirling, Kiffin fielded hard hitting questions regarding his future coaching plans.
Here’s the Q&A from Wednesday afternoon:
As you navigate the process, to what degree have you thought about what you want your career legacy to be?
“There’s a good one. I wasn’t ready for that. Kyle had me ready for some, but I wasn’t ready for that. I don’t know, I would have to have more time to think about that, to make a public statement on that. I love that I feel like my story, what I’ve gone through, my experiences are able to impact people. And I remember speaking at my Dad’s funeral, and so many people from so many places, sending cards, coming down, saying things about his impact on them. And I was like, ‘God, that’s what I hope for.’ So I guess I don’t have the full answer, because you’re probably thinking more of coaching, I’m thinking more of the legacy that you leave with the people you connect with, and the ability to help them through things.”
Has Ole Miss asked you or your representation to provide them with clarity before the Egg Bowl of where you intend to coach next season?
“I’m gonna stay on what I’ve done for six years, which isn’t talking about other jobs and that situation. (AD) Keith (Carter) and I – I’ve seen him twice already today. Keith and I have a great relationship. We communicate daily on a lot of things, and I love it here, and it’s been amazing. And we’re in the season, that’s the greatest run in the history of Ole Miss at this point, having never been at this point. So I think it’s really exciting. I think Saturday night was amazing, and so I’m just living in the moment – it’s amazing – and our players are, too. I see their joy about practice, season, where they’re at and have so much on the line. It’s just awesome to be a part of.”
Do you expect to coach next week as you’re preparing for this game?
“Do you know something I don’t know?”
I’m asking you …
“Do I expect to coach next week? Why would I not expect to coach next week? I mean, I expected to coach against Florida, too. So I don’t even understand the question of how I would not expect to coach next week? Why would I be at work?”
Is there any situation in which you wouldn’t think you’d be coaching this team moving forward beyond next week?
“No, I don’t. I don’t… we’re gameplanning. I was just at practice. I don’t even understand how that would happen. So, must be missing something.”
Your comfort level in the spotlight with this level of scrutiny? Do you have to manage things a little bit differently right now?
“No, because I don’t really do … My schedule is the same. I wake up at four or five and go to yoga and come to the office all day long. I don’t really go anywhere. Probably, maybe what you’re thinking like I would be like out there in the real world. I don’t go anywhere, so my day’s exactly the same.”
Did you speak to the governor of Louisiana recently?
“I wouldn’t comment on that either way.”
When do you hope to have some clarity on your future with Ole Miss and the other parties that are seeking your services at this moment?
“Like I said, I’ve been saying the same thing for six years; I’m not talking about speaking on other jobs. I’m focused on this one. I guess that’s kind of spiraling off the question before like ‘are you coaching in the game?’ I don’t even understand what the question is. Of course I’m coaching, I mean unless you guys know something I don’t or I’m getting fired and I don’t know it.”
Is there a possibility you could take another job before the postseason:
“I’m not speaking about other jobs.”
Is it more flattering or overwhelming to be courted by three different schools and fan bases?
“It doesn’t feel good on this call. Somehow it spun really negatively. I’ve said it before, if programs want your coach, that should be looked at as an amazing thing and a great thing by your fans. So if programs want your coach because you’re 10-1 and whatever, we’ve had three ten-win seasons in a row which has never been done at Ole Miss before. Is that a good thing that other programs want your coach because your programs experienced success it’s never had? Or would you rather be 5-6 or 6-5 or something right now and no one wants your coach. I would look at it from that perspective.”
Does having grown kids change everything when you are posed with choices like this?
“I’m not going to comment on jobs. I would say this in fairness to the question; I do think people with time change, maybe when they’re younger you make very fast decisions, which I’ve gone on record and said that before, in life and situations, and I think as you get older and more mature and look at them different, maybe you take longer to make the proper decision. I would say that just in general.”
Was this bound to happen given the complications of the calendar and a head coach with a playoff contender and being courted by other schools:
“If a team wanted a playoff coach, this was bound to happen. I’m just looking at it from the outside, I’m not even talking about myself, I’m just looking at it as you guys are. There’s a systematical problem, and it used to be players were in it, and they still are a little bit with the portal timing and playoffs and all those things. Look at the Penn State quarterback a year ago and not letting him play and him having to go in. I would hope everyone in that situation was like ‘man that’s a systematical issue’, a calendar issue. Yeah, the subject you are referring to, until something changes, is going to be an issue for years.”
What did your family learn on their trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge that could be informative as you make a decision?
“Like I said, I’m not talking on any speculation or stories of things having to do with other jobs. I’ve said that probably ten times. But I understand you have to ask them.”