Full Breakdown
Nick Saban Denies Advising Lane Kiffin on LSU Move Amid Pre-Game Tensions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Saban’s Public Rejection of Rumors About Influencing Kiffin’s Departure
Two weeks before the LSU-Ole Miss showdown, speculation claimed former Alabama coach Nick Saban urged Lane Kiffin to leave Ole Miss for LSU. On ESPN’s *College GameDay* in Oxford, Saban denied any directive, saying he only asks coaches reflective questions and leaves the decision to them.
Background & Context
Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU on a seven-year, $91 million contract after guiding the Rebels to their first College Football Playoff. He had previously served as Saban’s offensive coordinator at Alabama (2014-2016). The rivalry intensified when Ole Miss fans booed Saban during *GameDay*, chanting “F*ck Lane Kiffin!” as the program prepared to host its former coach.
Timeline
- November 23, 2023 – Kiffin returned to Oxford for a separate event.
- September 17 – Ole Miss staff questioned LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s “doubtful” injury designation.
- Upcoming Saturday – LSU (No. 7) travels to Oxford to face No. 8 Ole Miss.
Official Statements & Responses
- On Leavitt’s injury, Saban said, “If I was a betting man I would say there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Sam Leavitt.”
Criticism & Opposition
Kiffin’s account contradicts Saban’s denial, suggesting Saban’s encouragement was decisive. Ole Miss supporters amplified the dispute with anti-Kiffin chants and skepticism about LSU’s injury reporting.
On-the-Ground Reports
The *College GameDay* crowd booed Kiffin, then cheered when Saban outlined his questioning framework, highlighting the emotional stakes of the matchup at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Saban’s role: Saban says he never told Kiffin where to coach; Kiffin says Saban’s encouragement mattered. No independent verification exists.
- Leavitt injury: Saban claims the quarterback is fine; Ole Miss staff doubt the “doubtful” label and suggest it may be strategic. The SEC’s injury-reporting policy warns against misleading designations, but no official clarification has been issued.
Data & Statistics
- Kiffin’s LSU contract: seven years, $91 million.
- Kiffin’s Ole Miss record: 55-19, culminating in a CFP berth.
- Current rankings: LSU No. 7, Ole Miss No. 8; DraftKings lists Ole Miss as a 2.5-point underdog.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Where do you think you can win? Where do you think you fit. And I also say, ‘Why can’t you win at where you are now? You have a great quarterback,” — Nick Saban
- “If I was a betting man I would say there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Sam Leavitt,” — Nick Saban
- “There’s just going to be so much attention, hatred , everything on me,” — Lane Kiffin
What’s Next
Saban will appear on *College GameDay* in Oxford for the LSU-Ole Miss game, offering his perspective on the matchup and Leavitt’s health. Both programs will field top-10 teams, and the result will shape ongoing discussions about coaching influence, injury-report transparency, and SEC rivalry dynamics.