TRANSCRIPT: Everything Lane Kiffin said in Wednesday’s SEC Teleconference; Rebels’ coach addresses rumors, focuses on Egg Bowl and historic season

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin spoke on the weekly SEC Coaches Teleconference Wednesday. Coach Kiffin was asked questions throughout the call about his coaching plans, whether he’s talked to the Louisiana governor (as some reports suggested, but the Governor later denied), thoughts on being pursued by several top schools and more.

Lane’s opening statement:

So you know it’s kind of second open date. So we’re treating it more like a normal practice week and working on the opponent and getting a head start. So that’s been good. Our players have had great energy and physicalness at practice. I think they realize how much is at stake here now that they’re 10-1 with a chance to go to 11-1 in the best season in the history of the school. And so it’s been it’s been really, really good. So we’re just going to keep working and get ready to go down to Starkville.

Question: As you navigate this stay or go process, to what degree have you thought about what you want your career legacy to be?

Lane Kiffin: That’s a good one, Blake… I wasn’t ready for that. I don’t know, I would have to have more time to think about that, to make a public statement on that. I love that I feel like my story, what I’ve gone through, my experiences are able to impact people. And I remember speaking at my dad’s funeral and so many people from so many places sending cards, coming down, saying things about his impact on them. And I was like, God, that’s what I hope for. And so I guess I don’t have the full answer because you’re probably thinking more coaching. I’m thinking more of the legacy that you leave with the people you connect with and the ability to help them through things.

Question: Has Ole Miss asked you or your representation to provide them with clarity before the Egg Bowl and where you intend to coach next season?

Lane Kiffin: Yeah, I’m going to stay on what I’ve done for six years, which isn’t talk about other jobs in that situation. And, Keith and I, I’ve seen him twice already today. Keith and I have a great relationship. We communicate daily on a lot of things and I love it here. And it’s been amazing. And we’re in the, you know, in a season that’s the greatest run in the history of Ole Miss at this point, having never been at this point. So, I think it’s really exciting. I think Saturday night was amazing. And so I’m just living in the moment that it’s amazing. And our players are too, you know, I see their joy about the practice season where they’re at and have so much on the line. It’s just awesome to be a part of.

Question: Lane, I mean, do you expect to coach next week as you’re preparing for this game?

Lane Kiffin: You know something I don’t know? Do I expect to coach next week? Why would I not expect to coach next week? I mean I expected to coach against Florida, too, so I don’t even understand the question how I would not expect to coach next week. Why would I be at work?

Question: Is there any reason you wouldn’t see yourself, any situation in which you wouldn’t think you’d be coaching this team moving forward beyond next week?

Lane Kiffin: No, I don’t, I mean, we’re game planning. We just practiced. I don’t even understand how that would happen. So. Okay. Must be missing something.

Question: Bad timing for my question, coach. I was just going to ask you about your comfort level in the spotlight and with this level of scrutiny. But I think, you know, I guess, I mean, it kind of is what it is right now when when you’re this famous and sought after, is life a little different? And do you have to manage things a little bit differently right now?

Lane Kiffin: No, because I don’t really do, I mean, my schedule is the same. I mean, I wake up at 4 or 5 and go to yoga and come to the office all day long. I don’t really go anywhere. So, probably maybe what you’re thinking, like, I would be, like, out there in the real world, I don’t go anywhere. So, my day is exactly the same.

Question: Hey, there are conflicting reports. I was going to give you a chance to set the record straight that you spoke with the governor of Louisiana here pretty recently. Did that or did that not happen?

Lane Kiffin: I wouldn’t comment on that either way, so I’m not.

Question: Hey, Lane. I hope you’re doing well today. Man, I appreciate the time. I was just going to ask, when do you hope to have some clarity and provide some clarity on your future with Ole Miss and also the other parties that are seeking your services at this moment?

Lane Kiffin: I mean, like I said, I’m saying the same thing for six years. I’m not talking about speaking on other jobs. I’m focused on this one. And, I guess that’s like the question before, like, are you coaching in the game? Like, I don’t even understand what the, I don’t even understand what the question is like. Of course I’m coaching. I mean, unless you guys know something I don’t or I’m getting fired and I don’t know it.

Question: Is there a possibility you could take another job before the postseason?

Lane Kiffin: I’m not speaking on other jobs.

Question: Is it is it more flattering or overwhelming to be courted by three different fan bases, three different schools, three different entities?

Lane Kiffin: It doesn’t feel good on this call. Somehow it got spun really negatively. I said it before. If programs want your coach, okay, that should be looked at as an amazing thing and a great thing by your fans. So programs want your coach because you’re 10-1 and whatever. We’ve run three 10-win seasons in a row, which has never been done in Ole Miss before. Is that a good thing that other programs want your coach because your program’s experienced success it’s never had? Or would you rather be 5-6 or 6-5 or something right now and no one wants your coach? I would look at it from that perspective.

Question: When you when you’ve got nearly grown kids or probably think they’re grown does that change everything that you’re when you’re posed with choices like this? I think it seems a lot easier to when you were, you know, when they’re little to up and move than maybe when they’re older.

Lane Kiffin: Yeah, I’m not going to comment on jobs. I would say this, though in fairness to the question, I do think that people with time change and maybe when they’re younger you make really fast decisions, which I’ve gone on record, have said that before in life and in situations. And I think as you get older and more mature and look at things different, maybe you, you take longer to make the proper decision. I would say that just in general.

Question: Lane was this kind of bound to happen with the complications of the calendar and a head coach with a playoff contender and being, you know, courted by other schools. I mean, was this bound to happen with the 12-team playoff?

Lane Kiffin: Yeah. I mean, if a team wanted a playoff coach, this was bound to happen. So this is, really, I’m just looking at this outside. I’m not even talking about myself. I’m just looking at it as like, you guys are, like, there’s a systematical problem. And it used to be players were in it, and they still are a little bit with the portal timing and playoffs and all those things. And look at the Penn State quarterback a year ago and, you know, not letting him play and him having to go in. And I think everybody, I would hope everybody in that situation was like man that’s a that’s a systematical issue, calendar issue. So yeah, the subject that you’re referring to is — probably until something changes — is going to be an issue for years.

Question: Lane, what did your family learn on its trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge that could be informative as you make a decision?

Lane Kiffin: Yeah, like I said, I’m not getting on any speculation or stories of things having to do with with other jobs. Said that about ten times, but I understand you’ve got to ask them.