OXFORD — It’s decision day for Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin, but a complex situation has been further complicated.
The No. 6 Rebels (11-1, 7-1 SEC) will make the SEC Championship game if Auburn (5-6, 1-6) beats No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1) in the Iron Bowl (ABC) on Nov. 29. The SEC title game will be on Dec. 6 (3 p.m., ABC) in Atlanta vs No. 4 Georgia.
Kiffin had a meeting with Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter at 3 p.m. about his decision, according to On3.
By 7:30 p.m. CT there was still no decision announced as the Iron Bowl was in the first quarter.
Is it possible a decision won’t be announced until Kiffin knows if Ole Miss is in the SEC Championship Game?
ESPN’s Marty Smith gave an update on Kiffin’s future from Oxford on “College GameDay” earlier in the day.
Even though Kiffin is facing a decision that will shake the sport — will he stay at Ole Miss or leave for LSU or Florida? — his schedule was somewhat normal.
Smith said Kiffin went to yoga at 8 a.m. with his family. Then he was going to prepare for a football game.
“After yoga, he is coming here to the facility with his staff to start game planning for the Georgia Bulldogs in case Alabama loses tonight and the Rebels suddenly find themselves in Atlanta next weekend with he opportunity to play for a conference championship,” Smith said.
Carter released a statement previously that said a decision about Kiffin’s future was expected on Nov. 29.
Kiffin said after Ole Miss’ Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State on Nov. 28 that he feels like he has to decide his future by Nov. 29.
In the meantime, Smith reported that Kiffin plans to call former Alabama coach Nick Saban and former Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll for advice.
Kiffin also said after the Egg Bowl that he wishes he could talk with his late father, Monte, who died in 2024.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_