Rebels' Lane Kiffin Named to Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has been named to the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List with the Rebels currently sitting at 5-1 midway through the 2023 season.

OXFORD, Miss. -- Entering the 2023 season, it was well documented that the Ole Miss Rebels had been dealt one of the more challenging schedules in college football. 

With early tests versus the Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, Tulane Green Wave, and Arkansas Razorbacks, the Rebels could have very easily taken three losses already, but the team is currently 5-1 entering the second half of the regular season. Due to Ole Miss' early success, Lane Kiffin was named to the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List on Tuesday.

The Bear Bryant Award is given annually to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life. 

Kiffin is one of 26 coaches to make the watch list, and one of five SEC coaches to make the cut. The full catalog of coaches can be found below.

Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin on the sideline vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks (2023) / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

Jeff Brohm -- Louisville Cardinals

Mack Brown -- UNC Tar Heels 

Troy Calhoun -- Air Force Falcons

Jamey Chadwell -- Liberty Flames

Curt Cignetti -- James Madison Bulldogs 

Ryan Day -- Ohio State Buckeyes

Kalen Deboer -- Washington Huskies 

Mike Elko -- Duke Blue Devils

Elijah Drinkwitz -- Missouri Tigers

James Franklin -- Penn State Nittanny Lions 

Willie Fritz -- Tulane Green Wave

Jim Harbaugh -- Michigan Wolverines

Lane Kiffin -- Ole Miss Rebels

G.J. Kinne -- Texas State Bobcats 

Dan Lanning -- Oregon Ducks

Lance Leipold -- Kansas Jayhawks 

Mike Locksley -- Maryland Terrapins 

Mike Norvell -- Florida State Seminoles

Lincoln Riley -- USC Trojans 

Nick Saban -- Alabama Crimson Tide

Deion Sanders -- Colorado Buffaloes 

Steve Sarkisian -- Texas Longhorns

Kirby Smart -- Georgia Bulldogs

Jonathan Smith -- Oregon State Beavers 

Mark Stoops -- Kentucky Wildcats

Brent Venables -- Oklahoma Sooners 

Ole Miss has a chance to end the year with just two or three losses (maybe fewer), and this team can certainly achieve that milestone. This group is tougher than they were a season ago and has already proven to be more resilient. Before we get too carried away, however, the Rebels still have to travel to Auburn this Saturday for a night game in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Kickoff between Ole Miss and Auburn is set for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be televised on ESPN.