Lane Kiffin’s decision to return to the Ole Miss football program for another season turned out to be a family affair, with his daughter playing a crucial role in his choice to stay.
During the 2022 offseason, Kiffin was heavily courted by the Auburn Tigers for their head coaching vacancy. Many believed he was on the verge of accepting the offer, which would have taken him away from Oxford and the Rebels. However, a heartfelt intervention from his oldest daughter, Landry, ultimately convinced him to stay at Ole Miss.
Landry, who is a sophomore at Ole Miss and moved to Oxford from Los Angeles before her senior year of high school to be closer to her father, took matters into her own hands when she learned that her dad was seriously considering the Auburn job. According to a detailed feature by ESPN’s Chris Low, Landry, along with her friends, put together a creative slideshow that showcased their bond with Kiffin at Ole Miss, complete with music and photos of their time together.
The slideshow was more than just a collection of memories—it was a powerful message from Landry, who reminded her father of the impact his decisions had on her life. She confronted Kiffin with a poignant question: “You left me one time for another job when you went to Alabama, and now I’m here with you and you’re going to do it again?”
This emotional appeal struck a chord with Kiffin, who had previously left Landry and her family when he took a job at Alabama. The slideshow and Landry’s heartfelt plea made Kiffin reconsider his options, ultimately leading him to reject Auburn’s offer and remain with the Rebels.
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At the time, Auburn had other high-profile candidates in mind for the head coaching position, including Deion Sanders and Hugh Freeze. However, it was Landry’s intervention that kept Kiffin in Oxford, much to the relief of Ole Miss fans.
Kiffin’s decision to stay has paid off for the Rebels. During his tenure at Ole Miss, Kiffin has compiled an impressive 34-15 record, leading the team to two bowl victories. In the 2023 season, Kiffin’s squad finished with an 11-2 record, including a 6-2 mark in SEC play, and capped off the season with a win over the No. 10-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions in the Peach Bowl.
As Ole Miss enters the 2024 season, they do so as the No. 6-ranked team in the AP Top 25 Poll, with high hopes for another successful campaign under Kiffin’s leadership.
Thanks to Landry’s creative efforts and her deep bond with her father, Ole Miss fans can look forward to more victories with Kiffin at the helm.
