"Let me be clear from the jump: My expectation remains that Lane Kiffin is leaving for LSU as early as Saturday. However, I’m not as firm in that opinion as I was 24 hours ago.
Why?
A few reasons.
First, while I absolutely believe Kiffin verbally committed to LSU late last week — others dispute that, so noted, but it’s what I absolutely believe — I think LSU may have overpromised some financial things and, until and unless LSU can show how those promises will be fulfilled, this won’t get to the finish line.
This was never about salary and money. We’ve reported that from the beginning. LSU has a ton of resources and has promised a full utilization of those resources for Kiffin. However, LSU hasn’t been able to show Kiffin a plan for how it will take those resources and be able to turn them into actionable value (meaning NIL that would get approved by the CSC, NIL Go or whatever body ultimately makes those decisions).
A source close to Kiffin insists this morning that Kiffin has changed his mind multiple times this week. The source said he still wonders what happens if Ole Miss wins in Starkville and Kiffin sees an emotional locker room and realizes he won’t coach that team in the CFP.
Kiffin has to know, based on conversations I’ve had, that Ole Miss has reached its emotional limit with him, and the source close to Kiffin said he expects this to be done Friday nigh or Saturday morning. Kiffin, by the way, is headed straight to Tupelo from Starkville to watch his son, Knox, play for Oxford versus Tupelo in the north half final.
LSU plays at Oklahoma Saturday, so in a world where he goes to LSU, an announcement that morning would be awkward. Further, and this is just me talking, but what happens if Ole Miss wins and Texas defeats Texas A&M in Austin? At that point, Ole Miss would watch the Iron Bowl Saturday night in Auburn, knowing an AU win would put Ole Miss in the SEC Championship Game next Saturday in Atlanta. Would that impact the timing of a decision? Of an announcement? No one seems to know. Maybe everyone is just trying to ignore that reality.
The source close to Kiffin, one who has consistently said he believed Kiffin would absolutely go to LSU, said this morning that while he still leans in that direction, “I do think there’s a chance he’s back.”
Florida, by the way, per everyone I’ve talked to, is out. So the Gators are either pulling off the stealthiest move of all time or they’re completely delusional. No in-between.
As Chase noted, Ole Miss’ fear has to be that Florida realizes this, presses Tulane’s Jon Sumrall to take the Gators’ job and then Kiffin leaves for LSU.
With Alex Golesh reportedly headed to Arkansas, Ole Miss’ board would look different than it did earlier in the week. There are reports Missouri is authorizing a new contract — not yet finalized — for Eli Drinkwitz. If Drinkwitz were to sign that deal, a fallback option for both Ole Miss and LSU would go off the boards.
Clear as mud, I know, but it’s what I’m hearing today. I'm about to go for a long walk in the California sun and try to improve my mood. I hope you all have a wonderful day."

And here we go...