Lane Kiffin, after online accusations, addresses comments directed at Texas A&M players
Things got a bit heated during Saturday’s game between No. 15 Ole Miss and Texas A&M, and Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin found himself right in the center of it.
Kiffin seemingly grew frustrated with the plethora of injuries on the field from Texas A&M players, and a video surfaced showing potential comments from Kiffin directed at an Aggies player. There was no audio on Kiffin at the time, so making out exactly what was said is difficult. But regardless, Kiffin directed some sort of comment towards Texas A&M defender Bryce Anderson.
Kiffin was asked about the moment after the game, and he attributed the incidents to simply having some fun with the players from the opposing team.
“I was just having fun with them,” Kiffin said in his postgame press conference. “Those kids are highly energetic like a lot of five-stars. Kind of fun to mess with. So it was all good.”
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Texas A&M led Ole Miss 14-10 at halftime, but the Rebels came away with the victory when it was all said and done. Ole Miss outscored the Aggies 21-14 in the second half, edging out the 31-28 victory.
Facing Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher was personal for Kiffin
Lane Kiffin has become one of the most interesting personalities in all of sports, and he never hesitates to have some fun. But when he faced Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M on Saturday, Kiffin was playing for more.
In response to Fisher calling him and Nick Saban a “clown” prior to the season, Kiffin brought that line back to life on Saturday night. After Ole Miss secured the victory, Kiffin was asked if he had any costume plans for Halloween. He wasted no time turning it back on Jimbo Fisher.
“I don’t know, maybe Jimbo has a Joker outfit for me,” Kiffin said on the field after the game.
The Ole Miss Football Twitter account also took a jab at Fisher and the Aggies on Saturday night. And Kiffin explained later Saturday night why the game meant more to him this year. He admitted that this game was personal, and he gave a clear reason why.
“Yeah, I don’t give you coach-speak, so yeah, that’s real,” responded Kiffin, asked if the war of words pushed Ole Miss toward success. “Someone attacks you personally, calls you and your buddy Coach Saban both clowns, you take that personal. So, glad we won.
“I guess I can be a clown for Halloween then.”
Ole Miss is now 8-1 overall and 4-1 against SEC opponents. Next up for the Rebels is a bye week, but they’ll be back in action on Nov. 12 against Alabama.