Paul Finebaum Reveals Whether Lane Kiffin Plans to Leave Ole Miss Amid Rumors
OXFORD, Miss. – August 6, 2025
As whispers swirl once again about Lane Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss, SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum is setting the record straight. The veteran college football analyst revealed in a segment on his show Tuesday that, despite speculation linking Kiffin to multiple high-profile vacancies, the Rebels’ head coach has no plans to leave Oxford any time soon.
“From everything I’m hearing—and I’ve spoken to people close to Kiffin—he’s staying put at Ole Miss,” Finebaum said on The Paul Finebaum Show. “The rumors always fly when there’s movement around the SEC or in the NFL, but Kiffin’s camp is adamant: he’s committed to what he’s building in Oxford.”
The speculation was reignited this week after reports surfaced that several Power Five programs and even one NFL team had “expressed interest” in gauging Kiffin’s availability. But according to Finebaum, the interest is one-sided.
“Lane Kiffin has had opportunities,” Finebaum continued. “Let’s not pretend he hasn’t. But what people fail to understand is that he finally has a program that lets him be Lane. He has control, he has support, and more importantly, he has unfinished business.”
Kiffin, who is entering his sixth season with the Rebels, has transformed Ole Miss into a perennial contender in the SEC. Under his leadership, the team has posted multiple 10-win seasons, secured high-profile bowl appearances, and become a consistent presence in the national rankings. His offensive mind, charisma, and aggressive transfer portal tactics have made him one of the most talked-about figures in college football.
Still, his name often comes up when elite jobs open up—whether at blue-blood programs like Alabama or in the NFL. Kiffin’s past stints with the Oakland Raiders, USC, and Tennessee only add fuel to the fire whenever a coaching carousel begins to spin.
However, according to Finebaum, things are different this time around.
“Kiffin has made Oxford home,” Finebaum said. “His kids are happy, the administration backs him, and let’s be honest—he has one of the most exciting quarterback rooms in the country and a legit shot at competing for the SEC title. Why would he walk away from that?”
Ole Miss fans, understandably anxious about the future of their high-profile coach, have taken to social media with a mix of relief and skepticism following Finebaum’s remarks. While many were quick to celebrate the news, others warned that with Kiffin, nothing is ever truly off the table.
“Until he signs a lifetime contract, I won’t sleep easy,” one fan tweeted.
For now, though, it seems the Lane Train isn’t leaving the station.
With fall camp underway and expectations sky-high for the 2025 season, Lane Kiffin appears locked in—and Ole Miss fans can breathe a little easier knowing their head coach remains focused on chasing championships, not the next job opening.
