In a move that sent shockwaves through the college football world, Lane Kiffin has stepped into the role of head coach for the LSU Tigers, abandoning the Ole Miss Rebels just as they geared up for a promising College Football Playoff appearance.
The abrupt shift has sparked a wave of commentary from prominent voices across college and professional football circles, with Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow weighing in during a postgame gathering.
Burrow, fresh off a triumphant return from an injury that sidelined him, orchestrated a key victory for his squad against Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens squad on Thanksgiving.
Selected as the top overall draft choice by the Bengals in 2020, Burrow rose to prominence during his time with the Tigers. Following an initial stint at Ohio State, he transferred to LSU for the 2018 and 2019 campaigns, where he guided the team to a coveted national title.
During a media session shortly after the Bengals’ win, a journalist probed Burrow for his perspective on Kiffin’s transition to the LSU sidelines. Initially, Burrow appeared at a loss, offering a casual shoulder lift before delivering a concise assessment of the coach’s decision to depart Ole Miss in the midst of their playoff trajectory.
“I think he’s a good coach. I guess we’ll see how it goes. Those are my thoughts,” Burrow said, adding to another inquiring voice that Kiffin had not pursued him as a recruit back in his high school playing days.
The conversation pivoted when Burrow was pressed on the notion of envisioning a college head coach departing right before a playoff showdown.
“Yeah, that’s certainly not an ideal situation,” Burrow said. “Certainly not an ideal situation for a playoff run, that’s for sure.”
The latest College Football Playoff standings positioned the Rebels at the sixth spot, setting them up against an as-yet-unrevealed No. 11 opponent, with the matchup’s final details hinging on outcomes from conference title clashes.
Following Kiffin’s commitment to LSU, Ole Miss brass confirmed he would step away from leading the team in the postseason. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding has been tapped to helm the Rebels instead. Meanwhile, Kiffin’s former offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis Jr., has been granted permission to stay on with Ole Miss for their playoff efforts, though he is slated to join Kiffin’s new regime in Baton Rouge.
As a reminder, Burrow’s two-year LSU tenure included securing the Heisman Trophy honor and the program’s College Football Playoff crown. Under head coach Ed Orgeron, the Tigers dominated Clemson 42-25 in the 2020 championship clash. Burrow earned offensive MVP accolades in that game, going 31-for-49 through the air for 463 yards and five scores.
