SEC Coaches Teleconference: Lane Kiffin speaks on quarterbacks, Jon Sumrall, and the Ole Miss schedule
OXFORD, Miss. – The SEC held its weekly teleconference call featuring all head coaches, including Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, who discussed this week’s matchup against Tulane. Kicking off the call, Kiffin detailed the Rebels’ week of practice and the preparation it takes to go up against a Jon Sumrall-coached team.
“We’ve had a very physical week at practice, which is needed against this team because these guys are coached extremely well. They’re playing like an SEC team… highly explosive quarterback, defense tackles really well, their scheme is great… Coach knows how to win.”
– Kiffin on his respect for Tulane
Kiffin has immense respect for Coach Sumrall as evidenced by his comments this week.
Lane Kiffin on Jon Sumrall: “I just think his teams are really disciplined, they play really hard, they tackle really well. He’s got a really fundamental defensive system and he wins.”
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) September 17, 2025
Lane later mentioned that he would not be surprised to see Sumrall in SEC meetings this winter as a head coach for another program. It’s worth noting that Sumrall played linebacker at the University of Kentucky in the early 2000s, and he was also the linebackers coach for Ole Miss in 2018.
NEW: Lane Kiffin predicted Tulane HC Jon Sumrall will land an SEC job this offseason👀
Read: https://t.co/NaQDCZu1rp pic.twitter.com/JWkfUTTlFS
— On3 (@On3sports) September 17, 2025
In addition to packaging an elite Tulane defense, Sumrall has also proven early offensive success this season, led by quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who has thrown for over 500 yards and rushed for 288 through three games. This past weekend against Duke, the BYU transfer QB rushed for four touchdowns, tying a program record for the Green Wave.
Following his discussion on this week’s matchup, Kiffin was asked about the Ole Miss schedule and his thoughts on playing Tulane and LSU in back-to-back weeks with several other top-15 matchups later this fall.
“Well, Kirby (Smart) and I have talked about that a lot. I think it’s really something that’s not given much credit and understanding to… There’s a coach in this conference that came from a different conference that said it’s totally different… They only had to deal with intense road games three times a year, it’s totally different. Especially when you go to nine games, you’re going to have some really, really good 8-4 teams that are better, but you’re not going to know that because you’re going to have these other conferences go 10-2.”
– Kiffin on the landscape of the SEC
Game 0️⃣4️⃣
🆚 Tulane
📍 Oxford, MS
🏟️ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
🕝 2:30 PM CT
📺 ESPN#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/YYujdZsmjm— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 16, 2025
Lane also expressed appreciation for having two talented quarterbacks in Austin Simmons and Trinidad Chambliss, who’ve given him the ability to run two completely different styles of offense.
“I think it’s a great spot to be in. I would put our two up against anybody else’s two, so that’s exciting to have, and I’m really pleased with how both have played and handled the situation.”
– Kiffin on his QB room
Next Up
Looking ahead to this weekend, Ole Miss will face Tulane at 2:30 pm in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk for all of your Ole Miss sports needs.
