Emotional Lane Kiffin explains what Matt Corral means to him, Ole Miss program

Lane Kiffin and Matt Corral had a relationship you don’t always see between a coach and a quarterback. In their time at Ole Miss, each grew in their ability — and they’re both better for having crossed paths.

All season long, Kiffin was an advocate for Corral. The Heisman Trophy, the NFL Draft and everything in-between — Kiffin believes wholeheartedly in the Rebels quarterbacks.

Following his final game for Ole Miss, Kiffin was emotional when explaining what Corral means to him, and the Rebels program.

“He’s been unbelievable. The things you don’t see besides the playing, just how he is. I had a cool moment this morning in the team meeting, just listening to him talk. I told our own coaches and players: You can be a freshman and you’re supposed to listen to the leaders. You can be a 50-year-old coach and you should listen to this guy,” started Kiffin. “I mean, what he said today to the team about after last season, after the Outback Bowl, and all he wanted to do was come back and impact players the way that Elijah Moore impacted him off the field as a person.

“He’s just real special, and he is going to make a great NFL player and do great for a franchise.”

As you can see, Kiffin holds Corral in extremely high regard. However, the Allstate Sugar Bowl was a disaster for both parties, as Corral was injured and Ole Miss got beaten. In the end, Kiffin wishes he could’ve sent his quarterback out on a high note.

“We didn’t play well, and we had things happen that I just wouldn’t have guessed,” stated Kiffin, following the loss. “All the COVID work and everything and then I’m looking there playing the game thinking, our kicker is out, our quarterback is out, and our right tackle is out. So kind of freak stuff.”

The combination of Lane Kiffin and Matt Corral changed Ole Miss football. The duo will be revered in Oxford for years to come, forever linked by their unique relationship with the Rebels.