When Ole Miss signed Lane Kiffin in December 2019, the team was just coming off a bowl suspension and was looking to him to rebuild its program. Four full seasons later, it appears that he has fundamentally changed Ole Miss’s expectations and those of its fans for the program’s future.
Every season Kiffin has been at Ole Miss, he and athletic director Keith Carter have reviewed his contract. It has been widely reported that other programs with available coaching positions in recent offseasons have rejected the thought of luring Kiffin to them.
Who would blame them? That’s merely a reflection of the work he’s done since his collaboration in Oxford began. In four seasons, Ole Miss has a 34-15 overall record (20-13 SEC). Ole Miss’ 29 wins over the last three seasons rank third among SEC schools, after only Georgia and Alabama.
Four consecutive seasons in the top-15 of total offenses in the country has resulted in Ole Miss having the No. 1 combined offensive in the FBS over the last four seasons (500 YPG) under Kiffin.
Texas published Steve Sarkisian’s contract information over the weekend, updating the list of highest-paid coaches.
Where does the Ole Miss head coach fit in?
Well, in the top ten. His $9 million annual pay is tied for ninth-highest among college football head coaches (Josh Heupel, Mark Stoops, Eli Drinkwitz). Only eight coaches earn more than Kiffin (Dabo Swinney, Kirby Smart, Steve Sarkisian, Ryan Day, Karen Deboer, Lincoln Riley, Mike Norvell, and Brian Kelly).
The Rebels are coming off their first 11-win season, their second 10-win regular season under Kiffin, and their prospects for the 2024 season look even brighter. Oxford has never been more appealing to prospective incoming freshmen or transfer portal acquisitions.
The Rebels’ fifth-year head coach has perhaps acclimated to the new college football scene better than anybody else in the industry. When some (originally) balked at the idea of needing greater resources to recruit outstanding talent, Kiffin embraced it quickly. It helps to explain why Ole Miss has one of the strongest collectives.
He is also a new-era transfer portal pioneer. Since 2022, Kiffin has had a top-three portal class in each of the last three offseasons, according to 247Sports’ rankings.
Before the 2023 Peach Bowl, Ole Miss renewed Kiffn’s contract until the 2028 season.
“We’re doing things here that have never been done before, and with the devotion of our leaders and supporters, we’ll be able to expand on the foundation laid over the last four years. “I’m grateful to Chancellor Boyce and Keith for their support, and we look forward to continuing on our path to becoming a championship program,” Kiffin previously stated of his contract renewal.
Going into the 2023 season, many thought Ole Miss was a solid team, but not good enough to overcome one of college football’s most difficult schedules. They overcame it and secured the most wins their program has ever seen in a season.
But expectations haven’t been higher since Kiffin’s arrival. With the roster now in place, it’s playoffs or bust for Ole Miss in 2024, regardless of what others may say.
That alone tells the narrative of how far Kiffin has advanced this program. It hasn’t been a solo mission, but it’s difficult not to give Ole Miss’ head coach the majority of the credit for the team’s recent success. Another overachieving season including something the Rebels have never done before, and Ole Miss will most likely increase Kiffin’s annual contract.
Inside the Rebels will continue to bring wall-to-wall football coverage throughout the offseason, spring, and into the 2024 season. Inside the Rebels will also provide coverage for those going through the NFL Draft and transfer portal process in the coming months. On Saturday, August 31, the Ole Miss Rebels will face Furman at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in the first game of the highly anticipated 2024 season. Not a board member yet? Join our family here!
