One Day Lane Kiffin Will Learn Not to Poke the Bear

Ole Miss coach has a history of making ill-advised comments prior to playing Alabama and Nick Saban; and they always end up coming back to haunt him.

Edwin Stanton | Sep 23, 2023

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Lane Kiffin sure knows how to rile up Alabama folks.

And every time he does, it seems to backfire on him.

Earlier this week, the Ole Miss coach suggested Alabama defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson was the one calling the plays on defense in last week’s game against South Florida instead of coordinator Kevin Steele.

Of course, Kiffin’s comments gained traction on social media and in sports publications everywhere. So much so that Alabama coach Nick Saban had to come out and address it, assuring everyone Steele was the defensive coordinator and in charge of the defense.

The Crimson Tide defense held Ole Miss in check Saturday, allowing 301 yards in the 24-10 Crimson Tide win.

“We didn’t bring it up at all,” defensive back Terrion Arnold said of Kiffin's comments. “We went out and did what we were supposed to do.”

Arnold, who had eight tackles with an interception, said Steele was animated before the game.

“I was thinking, ‘Dang coach, chill.’” Arnold said of Steele motivating the defense. “He’s got that military mindset. He just listed all the guys and said, ‘Hey, go out there and make this play.’ He is one of those guys that really gets you going.”

Kiffin couldn’t leave it alone. Saturday morning, he did a live interview on SEC Nation and was asked about the matchup with Saban. “We’re excited for this opportunity today and you never know how many more you’ve got. Maybe this is our last time,” Kiffin said of facing the Crimson Tide coach. Was Kiffin hinting at a Saban retirement? The interview had the Internet abuzz before kickoff.

“We say everything on social media is rat poison, so we didn’t even pay attention to it,” said linebacker Dallas Turner. “We see it but we don’t react to it.”

It’s not the first time Kiffin stuck his foot in his mouth before facing Alabama. In 2021, the Rebels’ head coach told everyone to “get your popcorn ready” in a pregame TV interview on the Bryant-Denny Stadium sideline. He then tossed the headset and ran toward the sideline for the kickoff. The anticipated show turned into a 42-21 Alabama rout.

Kiffin took the popcorn comments in stride, even when he received bags upon bags of popcorn from Alabama, and even Ole Miss, fans. He posted a photo online, thanking the fans for the snack.

Kiffin hasn’t had any success facing Saban and Alabama. He was Tennessee’s coach in 2009, when a blocked kick as time expired secured an Alabama win. Kiffin is 0-4 against Alabama as the Ole Miss coach since 2020.

Published Sep 23, 2023

EDWIN STANTON

Edwin Stanton has been a sports writer for more than 20 years, and has covered University of Alabama sports for 10 years.