Wherever the “Lane Train” goes, it’s always a spectacle.
Day one of SEC Media Days in Atlanta was no different. Lane Kiffin is coming into the 2022 season looking for more.
After a record of 15-8 in the last two seasons in Oxford, including 10-3 and a Sugar Bowl appearance a year ago, Kiffin and Ole Miss are poised for a big season in the SEC West along with Alabama, Texas A&M, and LSU.
Kiffin spent the majority of his time at the podium today answering questions about Alabama, Nick Saba, and bringing Charlie Weis back to his staff. However, it was the transfer portal and NIL conversation that stole the show during his availability.
“Well, what should the coach’s role be in that discussion? I mean, I think ideally, if we’re going to be in an NIL world, somehow you’re going to do it right, it’s going to get capped so that there’s some way of controlling it and keeping playing fields close to the same,” Kiffin said. “Otherwise, you’re just going to have these glaring differences within Division I football based off of what I’ve said before, their salary cap.”
Kiffin also took over the social media world with his Jordans, with the powder blue accent and “The Sip” written on the tongues. He also rocked dress socks with trains that read “All Aboard.” Kiffin was even seen signing a mustard bottle for a Rebels fan in attendance.
The mustard bottle, as well as golf balls, ties into Kiffin poking fun at Tennessee on social media during this past season’s NCAA Tournament, which was won by Ole Miss.
“I have signed a lot of mustard bottles and golf balls, which normally I haven’t. It’s been a unique off-season. On the golf ball, which goes back to the first pitch I threw out for the Tennessee game, we got swept by Tennessee and didn’t play well. Everybody thought it was my fault” said Kiffin. “I had a plan. I wanted our guys to stay humble, not play very well, then we’d go win the national championship in baseball. I’d like to say that was a plan. All the Tennessee fans that were all excited about sweeping us, there was a plan.”
Ole Miss will open its season on September 3 against Troy in Oxford, Mississippi.