Lane Kiffin has 'rough landing' greeting in Baton Rouge after escaping Ole Miss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Lane Kiffin’s plane touched down Sunday in Baton Rouge, La., punctuating a high-stakes coaching saga that spanned Oxford, Miss., Gainesville, Fla., and the broader college football footprint. This wasn't the way it was supposed to end.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis arrival followed a playful exchange over the radio as the inbound aircraft signed off one transmission with a “Go Tigers!” Only to draw a “Hotty Toddy!” response from Baton Rouge air traffic control. It's clear this is going to be the start of a rivalry and how some are split surrounding the hire.
Oxford’s farewell was less lighthearted. Rebels fans earlier littered Kiffin’s jet-boarding with boos and gestures. It shows how some took the emotional jolt of losing a coach who delivered the best regular season in program history.
Kiffin later acknowledged the difficulty of the decision in a tarmac interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith. He leaves Ole Miss at 11-1, absent an SEC championship game appearance. And will not coach the Rebels in the postseason, like he intended to do.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLSU plans to formally introduce Kiffin at a Monday news conference.
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