Todd McShay hints Lane Kiffin waited to make LSU decision because of Alabama

After weeks of speculation, it seems that Lane Kiffin finally landed his dream job — or did he?

Analyst Todd McShay alleged that the former Ole Miss skipper was holding out for a reunion with Alabama before announcing his polarizing decision Sunday to leave the No. 6-ranked Rebels ahead of the College Football Playoff (CFP) to become LSU’s next head coach.

Kiffin announced his decision Sunday in a lengthy statement posted on social media, a day later than he was originally supposed to confirm his future plans.

McShay hypothesized that the 50-year-old coach, who had helmed Ole Miss since 2020, delayed his announcement because he wanted to see if Alabama lost to Auburn in its rivalry game Saturday, which could have potentially led to a Crimson Tide coaching change.

“The same people that told me Friday night that it’s done, that he’s got a place (in Baton Rouge) basically, and everyone in his circle knows that he’s going to LSU, the same people were telling me … it will not be official until after that Alabama game,” McShay said on “The Bill Simmons Podcast. 

“Because the job he wants more than any other job … I’ve known Lane for over 20 years, I’m buds with Lane, we communicate, but if you just watch, as much as he butted heads with Nick (Saban) at Alabama, he and Saban have a bond and a mutual respect for one another, even though they drove each other crazy. That was the job he wanted.”

That alleged plan fell through after the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers, and Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter barred Kiffin from coaching the Rebels during their postseason push. 

The following afternoon, Kiffin “settled” on a move to Baton Rouge, signing a seven-year, $91 million contract with the Tigers — the second-most lucrative coaching deal in college football. 

Kiffin served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under Nick Saban for three seasons after getting fired from USC, winning a national championship with the Crimson Tide in 2015. 

He nearly won a second before getting canned for accepting a move to FAU just a week before the national championship game. 

Despite his turbulent departure, according to McShay, Kiffin remained captivated by the chance to take charge in Tuscaloosa — a deeply sought-after gig with a far more ambiguous future following Saban’s retirement.

“So there was still this one percent in him, and no one will ever admit it, and especially him … I truly believe there was a small percentage of Lane who was like, ‘I’m going to LSU, it’s done, but what happens if Auburn beats Alabama?’” McShay said.

“Because that thing could fall apart in a hurry with Kaelen DeBoer.”

While Kiffin settles into his new office in Baton Rogue, DeBoer is preparing his squad for its SEC Championship game against Georgia.

Meanwhile in Oxford, Pete Golding — the former Ole Miss defensive coordinator who has taken over as head coach — gears up for the Rebels’ potential first CFP appearance.