The Grove Report

Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin Pokes Fun At Jimbo Fisher and His Ego Once Again

Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin is once again making light of Texas A&M Aggies headman, Jimbo Fisher.

Matt Galatzan

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Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is one of the most outspoken and convivial personalities in college football, constantly poking fun at his contemporaries around the country. 

However, it seems that Kiffin's favorite 'target' in these scenarios is quite obviously one coach in particular - Texas A&M Aggies coach, Jimbo Fisher. 

The two have shared plenty of barbs in the past over NIL, and other controversial topics surrounding college football.

And on Friday, Kiffin was at it again, poking fun at a statement that Fisher made during his spring football press conference in College Station on Thursday. 

“It’s not scheme... It’s execution." Fisher said when attempting to explain the lack of systemic improvement that his new offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino, would be able to implement going forward.

From there, however, Fisher also took a predictable path, doubling down on his odd take, attempting to explain that every offense in college football has ostensibly the same schematic structure. 

"Everybody does the same thing," Fisher said. "There’s not a hill of beans between anybody, as far as what goes on.”

And that is when Kiffin elected to chime in on Twitter - as we all know he loves to do - while tagging Georgia coach Kirby Smart in the process.

"'Everybody runs the same plays'???? Its only about the players executing?? ⁦@KirbySmartUGA⁩ FYI," Kiffin tweeted. 

Obviously, Fisher's comments are not to be taken at face value, as frankly, they make no sense. 

Are there trends in college football that teams tend to follow more than others? Absolutely. 

But there is also a stark contrast in the way that Ole Miss, for example, schemes its offense from week to week and season to season, based on current personnel and a variety of other factors. 

The Texas Longhorns, for another example, are set to look extremely different in 2023 after the losses of their top two running backs, Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, to the NFL Draft, and received an influx of talent at wide receiver via the transfer portal. 

Does USC run the same offense with Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley as Georgia did with Stetson Bennett and Mike Bobo? 

Did Ole Miss run the same offense under Phil Longo as it does under Lane Kiffin?

No. 

Are their similar concepts? 

Absolutely. 

But to suggest everyone in college football is running the same thing is... quite a take.

And whether Fisher will admit it or not, he hired Petrino to fix an offense that was seen, schematically at least, as behind the times. 

But, if Petrino can't implement any changes to that scheme, then why bother bringing him in in the first place?

Of course, that would be a question for Fisher. 

But, if his answer is anything like it was previously, it would more than likely be just another example of the long-time coach digging in his heels to defend his stubborn ego.

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TheGroveReport.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels.

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