Lane Kiffin’s Strikeout Steals Spotlight in Ole Miss Celebrity Softball Game
Lane Kiffin, head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels football team, had a moment to remember — or perhaps forget — during a recent celebrity softball game held on campus. The event, part of a charity fundraiser to support NIL efforts through the Grove Collective, featured various Ole Miss coaches and celebrities in a lighthearted competition. But it was Kiffin’s at-bat in the second inning that quickly went viral.
Facing off against Ole Miss women’s basketball head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Kiffin worked the count to 2-2 before swinging and missing on the final pitch. The crowd erupted as Coach Yo pumped her fist and celebrated the unexpected strikeout. Announcers and fans couldn’t believe it, with one joking, “Who had that on their bingo card today?”
Coach McPhee-McCuin later laughed about the moment, saying, “I told him I’d get him. I had the pressure, but he’s the one who choked.” Kiffin took the moment in stride, smiling and nodding as he walked back to the dugout. The light-hearted exchange added to the fun atmosphere of the event.
Despite the strikeout, Kiffin did have some success during the game. He led off the contest with an infield single and made a few solid plays at second base. His team, the “Bombers,” eventually fell 7–4 to the “Trashers,” but the bigger win came off the field. The event raised nearly $100,000 to support Ole Miss athletes through NIL opportunities.
The night served as a reminder that even big-time college football coaches can laugh at themselves and contribute to the broader campus community — one swing at a time.
