Lane Kiffin apparently was hoping that the Alabama Crimson Tide job would open up after the Iron Bowl, hence the timing of his announcement on Sunday that he was filling the LSU Tigers' opening and spurning the Ole Miss Rebels before a potential College Football Playoff run.
That's what The Ringer's Todd McShay revealed on Monday in the aftermath of Kiffin's SEC-shaping decision.
“The same people that told me Friday night that it’s done, that he’s got a place (in Baton Rouge) basically, and everyone in his circle knows that he’s going to LSU, the same people were telling me … it will not be official until after that Alabama game,” McShay said. “Because the job he wants more than any other job … I’ve known Lane for over 20 years, I’m buds with Lane, we communicate, but if you just watch, as much as he butted heads with Nick (Saban) at Alabama, he and Saban have a bond and a mutual respect for one another, even though they drove each other crazy. That was the job he wanted.
“So there was still this one percent in him, and no one will ever admit it, and especially him … I truly believe there was a small percentage of Lane who was like, I’m going to LSU, it’s done, but what happens if Auburn beats Alabama?” McShay said. “Because that thing could fall apart in a hurry with Kaelen DeBoer.”
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So for those keeping score at home, that's four programs that were affected by the Iron Bowl: LSU, who wouldn't have landed Lane if Auburn had won, the Alabama Crimson Tide, which would've landed Lane if AU won, the USF Bulls, which probably would've lost Alex Golesh anyway, and, of course, Auburn, which would've promoted DJ Durkin had they won.
Tough scene for LSU, which turned out to be Kiffin's fallback option. With Kalen DeBoer on a scorching hot seat until he wins it all, it's not unreasonable to wonder if we'll be connecting Kiffin to the Crimson Tide around this time next year.