The fallout of Lane Kiffin's decision to leave the Ole Miss Rebels for the SEC-rival LSU Tigers has reached an unfortunate climax. The Kiffin-less Rebels have advanced farther in the College Football Playoff than anyone—perhaps even Kiffin himself—could have envisioned, as the program romped Tulane in the first round, then pulled off a stunning, come-from-behind upset of the Georgia Bulldogs in the quarterfinal to set up a semifinal date with Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Before the CFP, Kiffin had given his blessing to six Rebels coaches, each of whom would be joining him on staff at LSU, to continue coaching Ole Miss through their postseason run. Following the Rebels' win over the Bulldogs, which occurred the day before the opening of college football's winter transfer portal, there was uncertainty as to which Ole Miss coaches would be remaining with the Rebels in the CFP semifinal, with the demands of roster building calling for Kiffin and company at LSU.
