Monday night update——
“It's been an interesting day to say the least. Lane Kiffin hilariously told reporters today that he could give them "a pine box speech" to affirm his love for Ole Miss, which did nothing to soothe frayed nerves among the Rebels faithful. He said nothing to bind him to Ole Miss beyond the Egg Bowl (played Thursday). I didn't find that surprising; Kiffin is coy anyway and he's counseled by the deft super-agent Jimmy Sexton.
There simply is no reason for Kiffin to say anything beyond the boilerplate, everyday platitudes. He's a man caught between two bidders, so to speak, and he's wise to keep them both guessing. That's Bargaining 101.
From the Auburn side, nothing has changed from my perspective. Athletic director John Cohen has spoken with far more coaches than I expected — I'd estimate the number between 10 and 15 — yet I sense that Kiffin absolutely is the primary target and has been the primary target since, well, this thing started. Kiffin clearly has a "thing" for Nick Saban and Alabama that captures widespread interest in and around Auburn these days. He's also popular, cunning, brilliant offensive strategist who's had success signing more than his fair share of impactful players to a program that doesn't attract much talent on its own.”
Wednesday night update——
“The chatter tonight out of Mississippi is that the deal has “hit a snag,” as a couple people have told me, but I haven’t had anyone actually explain the alleged snag to me. Or even speculate thoughtfully about what it could be. My INTERPRETATION of that, and it’s only an interpretation, is that it’s a ploy to buy time until the Egg Bowl on Thursday night.
I personally don’t see this as some melodrama where Auburn is either the hero or the villain depending on which side of the situation you’re on. Is Lane Kiffin finally realizing that Ole Miss is a better job than Auburn? I don’t believe in that stuff. Kiffin is so analytical. I can see a situation where he ends up staying in Oxford, but I think that decision would surround a lack of belief in the promised autonomy more than anything else.
So that’s where we are at this hour. My confidence remains high regarding Kiffin being the next coach at Auburn, but we’re at the point of the search where strange things can happen. The pressure is maxed out. It’s damn near impossible to predict how a stranger (to me) will behave in such extreme circumstances.”
Friday morning update—
“
Ole Miss lost again last night, its fourth loss in five games, and head coach Lane Kiffin was somber after the game. This is to be expected. He fielded a number of questions aimed at clarification of his (indirect) dalliance with Auburn. I'm not going to provide a full accounting off all the Qs and As here, but I'll summarize it this way:
Kiffin said nothing that leads me to believe the plan has changed. He was evasive and didn't actually commit to anything. He said he expects or plans to be the coach at Ole Miss next year, which is a nothing statement because he's contractually bound to Ole Miss. Kiffin has been very deft in the way he's avoided providing any incontrovertible statements of future employment at Ole Miss.
If he wanted to squelch this, he could have. He knows that.
So my feelings about this have not changed. I still expect Lane Kiffin to be the next coach at Auburn.
WITH THAT SAID: I mentioned in my previous update that I supposed it's possible Kiffin changes course. He has a right to do that. I don't know him at all, though I feel like I do after speaking abouthim for weeks now. People may behave in unpredictable ways when under pressure and he has final say on his own life, you know?
I just think Kiffin has his eyes on the prize — and Auburn offers him a lot of opportunity”
—————————————————————
His condescending nature toward ole miss and his inflated sense of ego that holds auburn too absolutely affected the way he conducted this search. You can see it In some of his posts.
“He has an eye for the prize— auburn offers a lot more opportunity” lol it’s laughable tbh
“It's been an interesting day to say the least. Lane Kiffin hilariously told reporters today that he could give them "a pine box speech" to affirm his love for Ole Miss, which did nothing to soothe frayed nerves among the Rebels faithful. He said nothing to bind him to Ole Miss beyond the Egg Bowl (played Thursday). I didn't find that surprising; Kiffin is coy anyway and he's counseled by the deft super-agent Jimmy Sexton.
There simply is no reason for Kiffin to say anything beyond the boilerplate, everyday platitudes. He's a man caught between two bidders, so to speak, and he's wise to keep them both guessing. That's Bargaining 101.
From the Auburn side, nothing has changed from my perspective. Athletic director John Cohen has spoken with far more coaches than I expected — I'd estimate the number between 10 and 15 — yet I sense that Kiffin absolutely is the primary target and has been the primary target since, well, this thing started. Kiffin clearly has a "thing" for Nick Saban and Alabama that captures widespread interest in and around Auburn these days. He's also popular, cunning, brilliant offensive strategist who's had success signing more than his fair share of impactful players to a program that doesn't attract much talent on its own.”
Wednesday night update——
“The chatter tonight out of Mississippi is that the deal has “hit a snag,” as a couple people have told me, but I haven’t had anyone actually explain the alleged snag to me. Or even speculate thoughtfully about what it could be. My INTERPRETATION of that, and it’s only an interpretation, is that it’s a ploy to buy time until the Egg Bowl on Thursday night.
I personally don’t see this as some melodrama where Auburn is either the hero or the villain depending on which side of the situation you’re on. Is Lane Kiffin finally realizing that Ole Miss is a better job than Auburn? I don’t believe in that stuff. Kiffin is so analytical. I can see a situation where he ends up staying in Oxford, but I think that decision would surround a lack of belief in the promised autonomy more than anything else.
So that’s where we are at this hour. My confidence remains high regarding Kiffin being the next coach at Auburn, but we’re at the point of the search where strange things can happen. The pressure is maxed out. It’s damn near impossible to predict how a stranger (to me) will behave in such extreme circumstances.”
Friday morning update—
“
Ole Miss lost again last night, its fourth loss in five games, and head coach Lane Kiffin was somber after the game. This is to be expected. He fielded a number of questions aimed at clarification of his (indirect) dalliance with Auburn. I'm not going to provide a full accounting off all the Qs and As here, but I'll summarize it this way:
Kiffin said nothing that leads me to believe the plan has changed. He was evasive and didn't actually commit to anything. He said he expects or plans to be the coach at Ole Miss next year, which is a nothing statement because he's contractually bound to Ole Miss. Kiffin has been very deft in the way he's avoided providing any incontrovertible statements of future employment at Ole Miss.
If he wanted to squelch this, he could have. He knows that.
So my feelings about this have not changed. I still expect Lane Kiffin to be the next coach at Auburn.
WITH THAT SAID: I mentioned in my previous update that I supposed it's possible Kiffin changes course. He has a right to do that. I don't know him at all, though I feel like I do after speaking abouthim for weeks now. People may behave in unpredictable ways when under pressure and he has final say on his own life, you know?
I just think Kiffin has his eyes on the prize — and Auburn offers him a lot of opportunity”
—————————————————————
His condescending nature toward ole miss and his inflated sense of ego that holds auburn too absolutely affected the way he conducted this search. You can see it In some of his posts.
“He has an eye for the prize— auburn offers a lot more opportunity” lol it’s laughable tbh
