Lane Kiffin isn’t just winning games; the Ole Miss head coach is winning the internet

OXFORD, Miss. – Over the last three weeks, Lane Kiffin hasn’t just been winning football games — he’s been winning the internet.

The College Sports Social Pulse™ — the University of South Carolina’s weekly analysis of millions of posts across X, Instagram, Reddit, and more — shows Kiffin as one of the sport’s most consistent headline-makers. He’s ranked in the Top 10 coaches all season, climbing to No. 1 this week and holding steady among the sport’s most-talked-about leaders.

Clay Owen, Professor of Practice in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at University of South Carolina

That’s not hyperbole — it’s backed by data. The College Sports Social Pulse’s study shows that Kiffin has climbed steadily to the top of the national conversation.

He cracked the Top 10 in Week 8, moved up to No. 2 in Week 9, and then claimed the No. 1 spot in Week 10.

It’s one thing to win on Saturdays. It’s another to dominate the headlines, memes, and message boards. Kiffin is doing both.

Week 8: Jokes, Georgia, and Going Viral

As Ole Miss geared up for its matchup with Georgia, Kiffin’s personality was on full display. National shows leaned into it — Josh Pate’s College Football Show highlighted the entertainment factor Kiffin brings to every game week, while FOX Sports shared a lighthearted clip labeling him simply: “Lane Kiffin is a jokester.”

That one post alone drew nearly 30,000 engagements.

Even after the Rebels fell in Athens, Kiffin’s postgame sound bites — equal parts candid and comedic — outperformed typical victory-week content. The takeaway wasn’t about the loss; it was about the man behind the mic.

Week 9: The LSU Rumor Mill Ignites

The following week, the storyline shifted from Athens to Baton Rouge. When LSU fired Brian Kelly, Lane Kiffin’s name immediately shot to the top of every “hot board.”

Josh Pate floated the possibility on his show. On3 and FanDuel Sports Network ran with the question: Could Kiffin leave Oxford for Baton Rouge?

Then came Ed Orgeron’s viral appearance on Golic & Golic, where he declared Kiffin “may be the best coach in college football right now.”

That quote exploded across social media. Collectively, the posts linking Kiffin to LSU generated more than half a million engagements that week.

And that’s what the Pulse measures — not agreement, but attention.

And in Week 9, everyone was paying attention to Lane Kiffin.

Week 10: No Rumors Needed

By Week 10, the LSU chatter had cooled — but the engagement didn’t.

At that point, Kiffin’s voice had become part of the college football ecosystem. Every show, podcast, and fan forum had something to say about his quotes, recruiting comments, or sideline demeanor. He no longer needed a controversy to drive the clicks — he was the conversation.

Equal parts strategist and showman, Kiffin could own the news cycle with little more than a grin and a tweet. (And yes, the Rebels’ win over South Carolina didn’t hurt his standing, either.)

The Data Behind the Buzz

According to the College Sports Social Pulse, Lane Kiffin’s digital footprint expanded by more than 60% between mid-October and early November.

His sentiment scores — meaning how positive or negative online mentions were — fluctuated week to week, but his overall volume stayed high. That kind of consistency is the hallmark of sustained relevance.

It’s why he currently sits at No. 1 in the College Sports Social Pulse rankings.

Why It Matters

In 2025, recruiting isn’t just about what happens on the field — it’s about perception, visibility, and connection.

Kiffin’s social presence is a strategic advantage. His humor, transparency, and willingness to engage fans directly make him one of the most magnetic figures in college football.

You don’t have to love him to talk about him. But odds are, you’re talking about him anyway.

Lane Kiffin’s College Sports Social Pulse Rankings (2025)

Week	Ranking
Week 1	N/A
Week 2	N/A
Week 3	#10
Week 4	N/A
Week 5	#6
Week 6	#10
Week 7	N/A
Week 8	#3
Week 9	#2
Week 10	#1

Our thanks to Professor Owen and the College Sports Social Pulse at the University of South Carolina for their information and study!