Ole Miss extends Lane Kiffin amid Florida coaching rumors

Lane Kiffin, head coach of the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels, is navigating a successful 2025 season amid persistent coaching rumors linking him to the Florida Gators' head coaching vacancy. After Ole Miss's 34-26 road win over No. 13 Oklahoma, which marked Ole Miss's first road victory over a ranked SEC opponent under Kiffin, he addressed these rumors directly with his team, framing them as a compliment to the players and staff for their strong performance and winning style. Kiffin's current contract with Ole Miss includes an automatic one-year extension worth $9 million triggered by the team's seventh win, reinforcing his ties to the program for now. Despite the speculation and interest from Florida, Kiffin emphasized his commitment to Ole Miss and the team's focus on pursuing a College Football Playoff berth. He acknowledged the emotional resilience his team has shown, contrasting their ability to close out games this season with previous struggles, and highlighted the importance of staying focused amid off-field distractions. Kiffin's leadership during this period reflects his intent to maintain stability and success at Ole Miss while managing external coaching interest.