The Grove Report

Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin Becoming Alabama's Nick Saban?

Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin looked an awful lot like Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban in a presser ahead of their ranked matchup this Saturday.

Ben King

In this story:

OXFORD, Miss. -- If you were to ask the average college football fan who will be coaching for the Alabama Crimson Tide whenever Nick Saban's illustrious career ends, you would likely get Lane Kiffin for at least one answer.

Since the Ole Miss Rebels hired Kiffin after the 2019 regular season, the idea that he is Saban's heir-apparent at Alabama has become a popular narrative. Kiffin previously served as Alabama's offensive coordinator from 2014-16 and has a close relationship with his former boss, despite now coaching for an SEC West rival.

Kiffin would be ready for the role based on recent pressers, as On3 writer Andy Staples noted on his show that the Rebels' coach is practically turning into Saban. Staples showed a video with the most recent pressers from Kiffin and Saban synched together, and the two have nearly identical mannerisms. 

The synched clip can be seen below.

Both coaches are gripping the podium the same way, their hands leave and return to the podium at almost the same interval, and when they start using their arms in their answers it is nothing more than the bare minimum.

saban kiffin
Butch Dill, USA TODAY

The simple answer is that Kiffin picked up a few mannerisms from Saban while at Alabama, while the unlikely solution is that he studied a few Saban press conferences and is just trolling. 

Regardless, Kiffin has an opportunity to beat Saban for the first time in his coaching career this Saturday when the Rebels hit the road to take on the Tide in Week 4. Ole Miss is currently undefeated, and Alabama is coming off a lackluster victory versus the USF Bulls.

Kickoff between No. 15 Ole Miss and No. 13 Alabama on Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.

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Ben King
BEN KING

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