Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin discusses attendance in second-halves of games: ‘Disappointed for players’
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin met with media for his weekly Sunday night zoom call, and one of the questions asked of the Rebels’ head coach was regarding the importance of the home crowd — and he made it clear how he feels about fans leaving the game early.
In the season opener against Furman, a 76-0 Ole Miss win, the school reported attendance of 66,105, the third-largest mark ever. Against Middle Tennessee this past Saturday, a 52-3 Rebel win, Ole Miss reported attendance of 66,427, the second-highest ever.
While the attendance numbers have been high and the stadium packed in the early quarters, there’s no arguing that the crowd dissipates as the blowout wins grow larger against lower-level opponents.
In a Sunday zoom call with media, Coach Kiffin offered his thoughts on the crowd and explained that he is ‘disappointed’ for his players when the second half starts and the stadium is nowhere near as full as it was to start the game.
“I think it’s really important for the players,” Kiffin began.
“When you come back into the tunnel in the second half, or you’re going into an end zone and look up and see the difference, I don’t really understand it. Maybe I am kind of naive to it. If a concert is going really well, do you leave? I get if the product is really bad and you come back out in the second half and the stadium is half empty. I understand when it’s a bad product. But I don’t understand it. I think it’s pretty entertaining to watch a team play well. When you have that a week ago and think that here after the QB threw in the first half for 350 yards and 5 TDs, the first in the SEC since Joe Burrow to do that. And then you have the most accurate streak in the history of the SEC and the stadium is half empty for the No. 6 team in America, I don’t understand it. It’s frustrating. But I can’t control it. I’m just disappointed for our players. I thought it was good weather. And I’ve heard ‘too hot,’ heard ‘rain,’ heard ‘too cold,’ heard ‘hunting season.’ I’ve heard all the reasons but don’t know what this one was.”
Lane Kiffin on attendance
When The Rebel Walk posted Coach Kiffin’s quotes on X, formerly known as Twitter, there were many fans who replied by noting they and their families always stay until the end.
There til the end! ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/IpmEExcokI
— Heather ❤️💙 (@HeatherH_628) September 8, 2024
I stayed until the very end. Wonderful day, and DEFINITELY a good product.
— Donna Rebelette (@mssivils) September 8, 2024
Then, there were those who offered thoughts on why fans leave early, such as the level of opponent the team is playing.
Schedule better
— Randy Kilmonger (@RKilmonger69) September 8, 2024
There isn’t a stadium in college football that stays full for entire 50 point games. https://t.co/zgvPgev3kf
— Michael Borkey (@MichaelBorkey) September 8, 2024
And some offered suggestions on how to help remedy the situation.
He’s not wrong. The grove’s siren song calls too well, especially in blowout games.
If I was Keith Carter I’d find a way to lower the beer prices in the 2nd half. Wishful thinking I know.
As a fan base, We need a big mindset shift for sure. https://t.co/E2dQ0FaCKS
— Made In Mississippi (@MadeInTheSIP) September 8, 2024
Whatever the case, attendance throughout the entirety of the game has been something Coach Kiffin has talked about for quite some time. It is worth noting, that once SEC play begins, Coach Kiffin will likely be pleased with the fan support in those more competitive games.
Running backs room
With Ulysses Bentley IV not seeing as much playing time as many expected, and that coming late in the game vs. Middle Tennessee, Coach Kiffin was asked if he yet knows what the roles are in his running back room.
“Well, we evaluate everything week-to-week. We have a very competitive practice field now, more than we’ve ever had here with depth and competition,” Kiffin noted.
“Sometimes when a guy is hot they play more, and Henry Parrish had been doing really well in practice, so he had a really good game. Four touchdowns on 12 yards a carry, so it just kind of went that way. Matt Jones had come off some great runs the week before, so it’s a good issue to have.“
Coach Lane Kiffin on the RB room
Next Up
The Rebels will travel this weekend, for the first time this season, when they take on Wake Forest (1-1) in Winston-Salem. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (CT), and the game will be broadcast on the CW Network. Ole Miss (2-0) is a 23.5-point favorite over the Demon Deacons.
The next home game for the Rebels comes Saturday, September 21 against Georgia Southern. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. (CT).
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
