Lane Kiffin is no stranger to uncomfortable moments, but a recent exchange with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum brought an old wound back into the spotlight — and in classic SEC fashion, it didn’t go unnoticed.
During a media sit-down at the SEC Spring Meetings, the conversation took a sharp turn when Finebaum brought up Kiffin’s tumultuous exit from USC over a decade ago. In what started as a lighthearted back-and-forth, Finebaum jokingly asked if Kiffin had any advice for current coaches worried about getting fired on the tarmac — a reference to Kiffin’s now-infamous 2013 firing by USC at the Los Angeles airport.
Kiffin, usually quick with a witty response, paused before replying: “Well, at least I made it to the plane.” The room fell silent for a moment, with media members unsure whether to laugh or wince. Finebaum, clearly caught off guard, tried to recover with a chuckle and a quick pivot, but the tension lingered.
The moment quickly went viral, with clips circulating on social media and fans debating whether Kiffin was genuinely offended or simply playing up the awkwardness. Some saw it as a rare unscripted moment of vulnerability; others viewed it as vintage Kiffin — embracing the chaos and turning it into a headline.
While the Ole Miss head coach has largely moved on from his USC days, the exchange served as a reminder that in college football, no past is ever too distant to be dug up again. And in the SEC, even a fleeting moment of discomfort can fuel days of media speculation and fan commentary. One thing is clear: Lane Kiffin and awkward moments are never far apart.
