Lane Kiffin reignited his ongoing feud with Brian Kelly on Tuesday, taking a sharp jab at the LSU head coach following a tough Week 1 loss. The latest quip centered around Kelly’s postgame meltdown, which quickly became a viral moment in college football circles.
After LSU’s season-opening defeat to USC, Kelly, clearly frustrated, lashed out during his press conference. The typically composed coach was visibly agitated, slamming his fists on the podium as he vented his frustrations. The force of his outburst was so intense that a Dasani water bottle was sent flying off the table, a moment that instantly turned into a meme.
This seemingly innocuous water bottle became the centerpiece of the ongoing banter between Kiffin and Kelly. The tension between the two coaches had already been brewing, thanks in part to a playful back-and-forth that began earlier in the season.
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In the week leading up to his own season opener, Kiffin publicly criticized Coca-Cola, a longtime NCAA sponsor, labeling it an unhealthy beverage compared to other options. His comments didn’t sit well with Kelly, who responded by defending the company, highlighting its healthier product lines in a lighthearted rebuttal.
This exchange added fuel to the fire of their already simmering rivalry, which has been a consistent storyline since Kelly took over as LSU’s head coach. The rivalry took another turn when Kiffin, fresh off a dominating win, decided to poke fun at Kelly’s press conference meltdown.
While Kelly’s Tigers were struggling to regroup after their loss to USC, Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels were riding high after a blowout victory. The Rebels crushed Furman in a 76-0 rout, leaving Kiffin in high spirits. And, as expected, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a shot at Kelly, even if it meant kicking the LSU coach when he was down.
Kiffin’s latest jab underscores the ongoing rivalry between the two high-profile SEC coaches. While their exchanges have been mostly playful, they also add an extra layer of drama and intrigue to their respective seasons.
As the year progresses, fans will undoubtedly keep an eye on this rivalry, especially when Ole Miss and LSU eventually face off on the field. Whether it’s through playful banter or intense competition, the Kiffin-Kelly feud shows no signs of cooling down anytime soon.
