Prominent ESPN college football commentator Paul Finebaum is known for his candid takes, and on Tuesday’s edition of “Get Up,” he delivered a sharp assessment of LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin, the newly appointed head coach who left Ole Miss right after the regular season concluded.
As the Rebels gear up for their College Football Playoff semifinal clash against the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday evening, Finebaum expressed strong disapproval over the manner in which Kiffin managed his transition from Oxford.
Finebaum pointed out that Kiffin has kept drawing attention to himself by bringing multiple Ole Miss staff members to LSU during the team’s ongoing playoff campaign—a decision he views as having negative consequences.
“He looks terrible. There’s no way around it,” Finebaum said. “He continues to try to look better, and everything he does seems to fail. We talked last week — he wanted to go to the Sugar Bowl, sit with the governor, go on ESPN — nobody wanted him there, and quite frankly, nobody wants him around anymore.“
“But the idea that he or his administration is not allowing these coaches is patently ridiculous,” he said. “There are a lot of layers to this, but Charlie Weis Jr. is the key. He’s the one that makes this engine tick.”
Although Kiffin has repeatedly voiced encouragement for his former program, that support has not been echoed by supporters in Oxford. Numerous supporters have voiced anger over his exit following the most successful regular season in school history, especially since it occurred just prior to the program’s inaugural playoff berth.
Following Kiffin’s move, the Rebels promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the full-time head coaching role, and the squad has maintained strong momentum. Guided by Golding, Ole Miss has performed with precision and dominance, securing decisive victories against Tulane in the opening round and Georgia in the quarterfinals.
This unexpected deep run into the playoffs has amplified the drama surrounding Kiffin’s choice to depart mid-postseason preparations, turning what could have been a smooth handover into a lingering point of contention.
Finebaum’s remarks highlight a broader perception that Kiffin’s attempts to navigate the situation gracefully have instead highlighted perceived self-interest, further straining relations with the Ole Miss community.
As the Rebels advance without their former leader, their on-field success under new direction stands in stark contrast to the off-field turbulence left in the wake of the coaching change.
The semifinal matchup in the Fiesta Bowl represents a historic opportunity for Ole Miss, underscoring the resilience of the players and remaining staff amid the upheaval.
Kiffin, meanwhile, is focused on building the LSU Tigers, having already assembled much of his staff from familiar faces in Oxford.
Yet the timing of his moves continues to fuel debate, with analysts like Finebaum arguing that it has diminished his standing in the eyes of many observers.
Ultimately, the ongoing playoff journey for Ole Miss serves as a testament to the foundation laid during Kiffin’s tenure, even as his exit remains a divisive topic in college football circles.
