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