Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin shut down rampant speculation on November 25, 2025, declaring, “No, I’m leaving? Nah, I’m staying right here in Oxford.” The blunt response came during a midweek press availability just days before the Rebels’ pivotal Egg Bowl clash with Mississippi State on November 28, where Kiffin addressed reports of a “handshake deal” with LSU worth $90.5 million over seven years—complete with $25 million in NIL and roster commitments. While LSU’s pursuit has been aggressive and public, sources confirm no formal agreement exists, and Kiffin’s loyalty to the program he has rebuilt appears ironclad, at least through the 2025 season.
Kiffin, entering his sixth year at Ole Miss (54-19 record), has engineered a 9-2 turnaround campaign, vaulting the Rebels to No. 6 in the CFP rankings with a high-octane offense led by quarterback Jaxson Dart (3,482 passing yards, 28 TDs). Yet, the 50-year-old’s flirtation with SEC blue bloods LSU and Florida—following their midseason firings of Brian Kelly and Billy Napier—ignited a firestorm. Family visits to both campuses last weekend fueled the flames, but Kiffin’s post-practice remarks today poured cold water: “Look, the rumors are flattering, but I’ve got unfinished business here. We’ve built something special—playoffs, rings, legacy. That’s not a handshake; that’s a promise to these kids.”
The LSU “Handshake” That Wasn’t
Reports from Yahoo Sports and ESPN on November 21 detailed LSU’s “finalized” pitch: a seven-year pact pushing Kiffin’s salary past $12 million annually, incentives tied to SEC titles, and massive NIL infusions to poach portal talent. Athletic director Scott Woodward (reinstated post-Kelly) framed it as a “no-brainer upgrade” from Ole Miss’ $9 million base, but insiders reveal the Tigers’ instability— including a contentious buyout battle with Kelly—has soured the vibe. “LSU feels shady,” echoed Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd on his November 25 show, advising Kiffin to steer clear. Kiffin, ever the meme lord, quipped on X: “Handshake deals? I prefer fist bumps after wins. Geaux? Nah, Hotty Toddy forever. #StayInOxford”
Ole Miss countered swiftly, extending Kiffin’s deal through 2031 with $7.2 million in guarantees and matching NIL resources, per Clarion-Ledger reports. Athletic director Keith Carter confirmed a post-Egg Bowl announcement, but today’s clarity suggests continuity: “Lane’s our guy. Full stop.” Florida, meanwhile, pivots to Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz after Kiffin’s rebuff, while LSU eyes Tulane’s Jon Sumrall.
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