Paul Finebaum Sounds Off on Rebels' Lane Kiffin Coaching Alabama in Future

Paul Finebaum recently gave his thoughts on Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin possibly replacing Alabama Crimson Tide legend Nick Saban.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels were taken down by the No. 12 Alabama Crimson Tide last Saturday for the eighth year in a row in a 24-10 road loss, and no one has been more critical of coach Lane Kiffin than ESPN personality Paul Finebaum.

After the Week 4 loss, Kiffin is now 0-5 in his career versus Saban and 0-4 against the Tide since arriving in Oxford. 

Finebaum appeared on "McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning" on Monday, and discussed the popular college football narrative that Kiffin will eventually become the coach at Alabama whenever Nick Saban decides to call it quits.

He fired off two bold claims about Kiffin regarding his future with and against Alabama.

"To me, it’s just that there’s a lot of mistrust of Lane Kiffin, in terms of his behavior," Finebaum said. "He behaves like a child. Last week, it was on center stage. There’s no reason for this. I mean, I do not think — two things I will say. Lane Kiffin will not succeed Nick Saban, nor will Lane Kiffin ever beat Nick Saban.

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"I think, whenever we get to that day, the people that will make the decision will not bat an eye."

Finebaum is convinced that Kiffin's antics the week leading up to kickoff, and his own performance versus the Tide will be enough to convince the decision-makers at Alabama that he is not a suitable replacement for the greatest college football coach of all time.

And it is hard to say Finebaum is wrong. Not only has Kiffin struggled against Alabama, but he has also had a difficult time versus Power 5 opponents throughout his coaching career. 

Kiffin is 1-19 against Power 5 opponents who have gone on to win at least nine games.

Kiffin will have a chance to silence the naysayers in Week 5 when Ole Miss hosts the No. 13 LSU Tigers in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Kickoff between Ole Miss and LSU on Saturday is set for 5:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.