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Gov. Landry pleas for ‘Southern hospitality’ in Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss
Confirmed
In Short: LSU's Lane Kiffin faces a hostile welcome as he returns to Ole Miss, where he left in controversy, with Governor Jeff Landry urging Southern hospitality.
LSU's Lane Kiffin is set to return to Ole Miss this weekend, facing a hostile welcome from the home crowd. Kiffin's departure last November, just before the College Football Playoff, left a bitter taste among the Ole Miss faithful. Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana has pleaded for 'Southern hospitality' in Kiffin's return, hoping for a smooth transition. The animosity stems from Kiffin's poaching of several Ole Miss assistants and players, and his attempts to add NFL players, which led to LSU facing the threat of SEC expulsion.
Kiffin's return to Oxford is the most anticipated game of the regular season, with both teams ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 1962. Ole Miss began their season with a hard-fought 41-38 victory over Louisville, while LSU put college football on notice by defeating Clemson 51-10. Kiffin addressed his players, emphasizing the importance of the game and the players' preparation. 'This is about the players being prepared very well and playing very well,' he said, downplaying the significance of his coaching history.
LSU officials have taken extra security measures to protect Kiffin, given the rowdy environment inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Kiffin's previous rude welcome at Tennessee and the animosity from Ole Miss fans make this return particularly tense. Despite the challenges, Kiffin remains focused on his team's performance. 'I think it is unusual, like you said, one team you built and now a new team you're building, and so probably a really unusual situation that way,' he noted.
Ole Miss coach Pete Golding has sent a clear message to his team, emphasizing the importance of the game and the players' readiness. 'This is about the players being prepared very well and playing very well,' Kiffin reiterated, driving home the point that the focus should be on the players rather than the coaching history. The game promises to be a high-stakes affair, with both teams eager to prove their worth in the SEC.
What's confirmed
- LSU's Lane Kiffin is set to return to Ole Miss this weekend, facing a hostile welcome from the home crowd. Kiffin's departure last November, just before the College Football Playoff, left a bitter taste among the Ole Miss faithful. Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana has pleaded for 'Southern hospitality' in Kiffin's return, hoping for a smooth transition. The animosity stems from Kiffin's poaching of several Ole Miss assistants and players, and his attempts to add NFL players, which led to LSU facing the threat of SEC expulsion.
- Kiffin's return to Oxford is the most anticipated game of the regular season, with both teams ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 1962. Ole Miss began their season with a hard-fought 41-38 victory over Louisville, while LSU put college football on notice by defeating Clemson 51-10. Kiffin addressed his players, emphasizing the importance of the game and the players' preparation. 'This is about the players being prepared very well and playing very well,' he said, downplaying the significance of his coaching history.
- LSU officials have taken extra security measures to protect Kiffin, given the rowdy environment inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Kiffin's previous rude welcome at Tennessee and the animosity from Ole Miss fans make this return particularly tense. Despite the challenges, Kiffin remains focused on his team's performance. 'I think it is unusual, like you said, one team you built and now a new team you're building, and so probably a really unusual situation that way,' he noted.
- Ole Miss coach Pete Golding has sent a clear message to his team, emphasizing the importance of the game and the players' readiness. 'This is about the players being prepared very well and playing very well,' Kiffin reiterated, driving home the point that the focus should be on the players rather than the coaching history. The game promises to be a high-stakes affair, with both teams eager to prove their worth in the SEC.
What's still developing
- Kiffin's already had one rude welcome at a former program as an SEC coach after Tennessee fans hurled golf balls and a mustard bottle in his direction during the 2021 season.
- It was a betrayal of the highest order in the eyes of the Ole Miss faithful after Kiffin resurrected the program and won at a historic level in recent years.
- Landry pleas for ‘Southern hospitality’ in Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss | ESPN La Crosse 105.5 You are using an outdated browser.
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- A 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech was next, and now, with Kiffin returning to Ole Miss this weekend, it's likely he is preparing his team heavily for the matchup.
- The surgery was to remove a body that was pressing on a nerve in his back, and it is a 12-week recovery, with the target of a December return to action, according to ESPN.
- He suffered an MCL sprain during training camp, causing him to miss some time, but Campbell said it was no longer an issue.
- Despite recently opening a negotiating window with ESPN to potentially grow the playoff field to 24 teams for next season, "That doesn't mean [it] will happen," according to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.