The Lane Kiffin thing just really irks me

[EnergizedLib]

As someone who is a fan of a team other than Ole Miss or LSU, I can say I am totally incensed by what Lane Kiffin has pulled in leaving the Rebels for the Tigers.

Just how cutthroat of a business is college sports and professional sports? Why in the absolute world would you build up a team into the playoffs, at the very least a chance to win the national championship, only to leave them for a conference rival, not even after the playoffs, but before?

Don’t give me this money nonsense because you’ve got coaches who are the highest paid public employees in an entire state and someone who’s coaching an SEC football program sure isn’t struggling to pay next month’s bills.

Maybe I don’t get it. But I know if I was one of the 12 playoff coaches this year, you’re not luring me away until after the playoffs, if even at all. Yes, it’s a business, but to forego the opportunity to be a national championship-winning coach to go to a rival school in the conference just boggles the mind, and it means turning your back on young men you’ve demanded and asked so much of when they need you the most and they’ve given your their all. Then he goes and makes it all about him.

To leave, even for a rival, is one thing. Lane Kiffin left in the most bush league way. He just became the most unlikeable coach in the sport, and as someone who roots for Florida State, this makes me hope Ole Miss wins the natty just for this.

[hlthe2b]

1. It irks me too. Especially that he tries to defend/wrap his greed and total self-focus around a "religious"

based decision--as well as trying to imply his own mentors (Nick Saban and Pete Carroll) directed him towards this decision. I know college football is as much a business today as ever before, but I do think it is different than some Wall Street firm and that player-coach-team-school-fans loyalties still matter. Not to Kiffin, apparently.

I see so many blaming the athletic director for making the decision that if he is going to go, he needed to go NOW (even as Kiffin claims he "wanted to stay to coach through the CFP" ). Bullshit. Why would any team WANT him to remain there coaching, given the disruption and demoralization his decision would undoubtedly have?

I think Kiffin is as self-serving and fake as they come. He may be talented as a coach, but I think Ole Miss will be better served by their now Head Coach (former Defensive Coordinator). I do feel sorry for them that with AL beating Auburn in the Iron Bowl, they won't get to the SEC Championship, but they still have a lot of opportunities left. And, LSU is nuts if they think Kiffin is not going to screw them over as well. This from a dedicated UGA Bulldawg fan... But, I still wish Ole Miss and their fans well.

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. He's good at marketing himself

At coaching? Not so much. Think back to the time he was fired in the parking lot (Tennessee). On The tarmac. (USC). He trades on daddy's name, like What's-his-nane Dooley (Vince's kid), who's also kind of mediocre, but his star finally fizzled out. Just waiting for Lane to do the same.
But as my DH said, "Now LSU has matching a-holes, male and female, except the feamle can coach." (apologies to anyone who actually likes her.)

[Silent Type]

3. Can see someone leaving Ole Miss, but not to LSU. Maybe California schools or something.

The money is astounding. College sports ain’t the same nowadays, but I can’t fault players getting paid and moving early to NFL.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Actually, NIL Is Encouraging Some NFL Prospects...

...to stick with college another year.
If they're 4th round talent, they're still a star on their college team.
They can make as much money in college as in the NFL on their first contract.
They get one more year to refine their skills & still get to be a kud one more year. That's definitely true of that change of pace RB at Notre Dame because he said so on national radio!
Not the 1st round guys, but lower rounds? There is now financial reasons to stay, even if it means leveraging the transfer portal to get another school to give them more money.

[Silent Type]

5. Good point. And truth is that colleges make big bucks off the best players. But miss days 1 platoon football

and when going to class was more important.

But those days are gone in everything.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I recall College Junior Varsity in the 60s

When the JV Razorbacks were the Shoats, Baby Hogs

And players transferred so they could go to college closer to home.

And professional players had to work in the office season

I’m sounding kinda old.

[rampartd]

6. he s at lsu now, but even that was not enough for saben

who left lsu for alabama.

in some states the head football coach is not the highest paid public employee. in some states the basketball coach may get more.

(hell, here in louisiana kim mulke, the women's basketball coach makes a bundle. 3.6 million per year + bonuses)