Lane Kiffin loves Oxford, and Oxford loves Lane Kiffin. It’s something the coach has talked about many times. He came to Ole Miss at an extremely low point in his career and personal life. This is of course, his longest stay at a program. His time with the Rebels has proven how years of diligence can transform not only a coach but an entire program. And while he’s more than content in Oxford, it’s no surprise that other programs continue to circle, hoping to test just how strong that bond really is.

Ole Miss is now ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll and is at a brilliant 4-0 so far into the season. Last year, Lane Kiffin and the Rebels only just missed making the playoffs. He’s now taking Ole Miss to a level of attention that was last seen when Eli Manning was here. Now, Lane Kiffin’s previous controversies in the sport don’t carry as much weight. His prowess with Ole Miss even had Auburn trying to pitch him for the head coaching job, but he refused. It’s not likely that Kiffin is giving other programs a serious thought, based on where he is with Ole Miss at the moment. But Ryan McGee thought of two places that can make the cut.

He said in a September 26 chat on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, “There are ties to Florida.” Billy Napier is likely to be ousted during or after this season. There are a lot of names popping up as candidates for the job. Kiffin, with his experience and connection to Florida, can be a good pick. “Her dad was the legendary quarterbacks coach there,” McGee added. Kiffin’s father-in-law is the John Reaves. He had a legendary, record-setting career with the Gators, played 11 seasons in the NFL, and returned to Florida as a coach. Lane Kiffin himself has a Florida connection, since he was the HC for FIU. He’s won 2 C-USA Championships with the program.

The other choice that would be of intrigue to Kiffin is Alabama, McGee suggested. “I think Alabama’s the one. I mean if Alabama calls, I don’t care who you are — you return the call,” he said. Lane Kiffin will always be an important figure in Tuscaloosa, being the reason why Nick Saban’s offense adopted a more modern style. Kalen DeBoer is signed through 2031. But he is under close watch now because of how he has performed so far. Lane Kiffin will be a very good bet for Alabama football if it ever opens up in the near future.

It will still be a very tough decision for Lane Kiffin. He’s now coming at par with quality head coaches as the Rebels’ HC. Moreover, he’s mended his way with his family, and Landry being at Oxford was enough for him to stay. That’s something that’ll be difficult to trade. But that isn’t stopping others from taking a serious interest in him.

Lane Kiffin was a top choice for Billy Napier’s job

The Florida job was nearly greenlit for Lane Kiffin last year. But Scott Stricklin took a risk and let Billy Napier continue his stay in Gainesville. McGee told Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara that UF boosters were building a campaign to get Lane Kiffin in at Napier’s place. “[We] had to go to this mandatory dinner at (Scott) Stricklin’s house… and all those boosters were saying ‘We’ll have (Kiffin) here by the end of October,” he said. Lane Kiffin was already rumored to be a serious pick for the job at that time. Napier was 4-5 by the time DJ Lagway changed his career.

The QB and his potential are likely a major reason why Napier was able to continue as HC for the 2025 season. There are also whispers that Stricklin just doesn’t like Lane Kiffin. But the latter is shaping Ole Miss into an SEC team that can now pack a punch. Billy Napier is now 1-3, and DJ Lagway is yet to click into his 2024 potential. Stricklin might be looking at candidates to replace Napier once again. It’s honestly not that big of a surprise, considering the coach was already in the hot seat, and the schedule is brutal. Lane Kiffin might be a productive pick for Florida, but that’s something that only time will tell.

Lane Kiffin will probably be at Oxford for a good number of years. He hasn’t really reached the pinnacle of his career with the Rebels. But McGee thinks it’s something that’s in the works. “I think that [Kiffin] wants to bring rings to that building,” he told O’Gara. Maybe when Ole Miss can maintain its current look without Kiffin being a factor, he’ll give other jobs some thought.