As the 2022 season comes to a close, the search for the next head coach of the Auburn football team is also nearing its conclusion. The university is expected to announce the next head coach shortly after the Iron Bowl, largely because of the significant of Early Signing Day in early December.
For a while now, the top candidate for the Tigers has reportedly been Lane Kiffin. During rivalry week, things got pretty crazy with a Mississippi-based reporter claiming that Kiffin plans to step down on Friday after the Egg Bowl, and Lane Kiffin responding the other way.
While both parties were likely hoping to keep any buzz around the situation quiet until the end of the season, it got to the point where Kiffin essentially had to address the rumors with his team, who are set to face Mississippi State on Thanksgiving day. Here’s what he told his players, per Chris Lowe of ESPN:
"“He told the players his focus was on Mississippi State and nothing else and that any reports out there about his accepting another offer were totally false,” sources told ESPN."
To fans of Auburn football, the focus should truly be on what Kiffin DIDN’T say. Multiple times over the past few weeks, Kiffin has had every chance to come out and say that he plans to stay in Oxford. He has had opportunities to deny the rumors completely, but what the Rebs’ head coach actually said was that he hasn’t accepted another offer, with a “yet” implied.
Of course Kiffin wants to finish out his season strong for the players on his team, but it’s looking more and more like a move to the Plains will be happening for Lane Kiffin. Does the announcement come on Black Friday or do they wait until after the Iron Bowl? Only time will tell, but if I were an Ole Miss fan or player I wouldn’t feel very reassured.