Lane Kiffin’s Next Power Move: How the Ole Miss Coach Could Shake Up the 2025 SEC Race

Lane Kiffin’s stock has rarely been higher. Ole Miss is 6-0 heading into mid-October, the Rebels rank top-5 nationally in total offense, and yet the conversation around Oxford is less about bowl positioning than whether their head coach will still be in town for Thanksgiving. Fast starts, early kickoffs … and early exits? Kiffin admitted this week that “morning games have bitten us before,” a nod to the Rebels’ sluggish showings in 11 a.m. windows. The schedule won’t get kinder: Saturday’s neutral-site clash with Washington State in Seattle kicks at 10 a.m. CT, the first installment of what Kiffin has cheekily dubbed the “Cross-Country Classic”. Winning on Pacific time would keep Ole Miss on track for its first playoff bid—assuming its coach survives the rumor mill. Florida whispers grow louder Speculation that Kiffin could replace Billy Napier in Gainesville reached meme status when the coach tweeted a shrug emoji followed by a GIF of a swamp gator, a move one Ole Miss blog called “stupidly genius”. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum poured gasoline on the story, noting Kiffin’s “restless DNA” and Florida’s deep NIL pockets. The chatter matters because the Gators could move quickly if their season spirals; insiders believe Kiffin tops their short list. The Alabama factor One SEC source told Yahoo Sports that Kiffin “would bolt Oxford for Tuscaloosa in a heartbeat” should Nick Saban finally retire. Yardbarker added an intriguing wrinkle: a former national-title winner is also eyeing the Tide job, potentially blocking the Ole Miss coach’s path. Whether Saban actually leaves—or whether Alabama boosters prefer Kiffin’s brash persona—remains the biggest what-if in SEC coaching carousel math. Undefeated résumé amplifies leverage Through six games, the Rebels average 45.7 points, and transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has tossed 22 touchdowns with just two picks. Kiffin called Chambliss “the best portal flip we’ve ever landed,” then joked that he might install new defensive signals “just in case Florida’s watching film.” Victories over Texas A&M, LSU and Georgia Tech have propelled Ole Miss to No. 4 in the AP poll; win the next three, and the Rebels could reach November unbeaten for the first time since 1962. Family ties—and recruiting eyes Off the field, the coach’s 16-year-old son, Knox, caused a minor social-media storm by releasing a top-three list that did not include Ole Miss. Kiffin laughed it off—“He just wants free gear”—but rival staffs say the younger Kiffin’s recruitment could hint at Dad’s own long-term plans. What’s next Saturday’s Washington State tilt precedes a bye week and a brutal closing gauntlet of at Georgia, vs Arkansas, at LSU and the Egg Bowl. Win out and Lane Kiffin may force Ole Miss to break the SEC’s coaching salary record to keep him. Lose a couple—and watch Florida, Alabama and every restless blue-blood pounce. Either way, Lane Kiffin’s name is about to dominate coaching carousel SEO as much as he’s dominated opposing defenses.