Lane Kiffin discusses his relationship with Ed Orgeron, thoughts on Brian Kelly at LSU

During the first day of 2022 SEC Media Days, there was plenty for the college football coaches to get off their chests. And the Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin had plenty to say on a broad range of topics. However, on the subject of the coaching turnover at LSU, Kiffin was short, sweet, and to the point. When asked to discuss his relationship with the former Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron and his thoughts on Brian Kelly, this is what he had to say.

“Well, working with Coach O in a couple of different places was awesome, and playing against the last couple of years. He just sent me a picture from South Florida the other day, so he’s doing well down there,” said Kiffin. “And coach Kelly, having played against him in the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, has done a great job. His teams usually are disciplined and perform well. So, I’m sure he’ll do really good.”

Kiffin smoothly side-stepped the question, giving a short and nonspecific response. However, given his response, it is clear that he still is close with the former LSU headman. Kiffin and Orgeron had two stints working together at the college level. The first was at Tennessee from 2001 to 2004, and the second was at USC. With the Trojans, Orgeron was a part of Kiffin’s staff when he was the head coach. But Orgeron would go on to replace him as interim head coach when USC elected to part ways with Kiffin.

As far as this relationship with Kelly goes, there’s not much to speak on. But that does not mean one cannot blossom in their years together as SEC coaches.

Kiffin seemingly did not want ti let his personal relationship with Orgeron take front and center on this topic. So, he did the best thing he could do in that situation which was to pivot around the question entirely.

Mike Jones reveals differences in offseason under Ed Orgeron compared to Brian Kelly

Tigers linebacker Mike Jones was at the 2022 SEC Media Days on Tuesday. And during his press session with the media, the junior linebacker revealed that while everybody is looking for the differences between former Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron and current coach Brian Kelly, so far, things have been quite similar except for one significant difference.

“Like throughout all college football, it’s a lot of similar things. Everybody is putting in work. The only thing I would say is probably the main difference — our strength staff now. Coach Flint and the guys in our weight room, they doing an amazing job,” said Jones. “They’re really data-based and data-driven with the way that we work. So we’re constantly wearing things that are going to track our speeds and track how much we’ve been running around. And even with the way we lift, they’re tracking our speeds with the way we lift. They have done a great job of just taking care of the guys and our bodies. Making sure we’re going to go into camp healthy and be in a position to be able to make a run and have a good year of college football.