Lane Kiffin discusses relationship with former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze

Lane Kiffin didn’t mince his words when asked about his relationship with Hugh Freeze as the No. 15 Rebels prepare to host Freeze and the Liberty Flames on Saturday.

“I know Hugh a little bit, from Chris, my brother, working here,” Kiffin said of the former Ole Miss head coach.

“He was always very good to Chris. I was at a restaurant when he was in town and he came by and sat down for a little bit, so, I know him a little bit. I have great respect, I was on the other side when he beat us twice. He’s done a great job wherever he has been and has a very unique offense that has always given people problems.”

When asked to elaborate on his impressions of the Hugh Freeze-coached teams he faced while offensive coordinator at Alabama, Lane Kiffin honed in on Freeze’s ability to have his team prepared when it matters the most.

“I was just amazed how well they played on game day,” Kiffin added.

“You know, just kind of the fresh theory. Knowing their practice plans versus ours at Alabama, and just the difference in how the programs were run. He had them fresh and ready to go on game day,” he continued. “I’m not saying we weren’t, but to lose only two times and both to be to Ole Miss, obviously we had the better roster than Ole Miss did, so he does a great job of getting them ready to go on game day.”

Lane Kiffin gives update on QB Matt Corral

Ole Miss starting quarterback Matt Corral was carted off the field during Saturday’s loss to Auburn.

In his Monday press conference, Kiffin said he was relieved the injury to his signal caller wasn’t as bad as it looked on first appearance, but noted Corral’s status is unclear heading into the Liberty matchup.

“He did not do anything today,” Kiffin said. “I was surprised he came back (on Saturday). It looked really bad, obviously. Like season-ending. That’s how he felt it was. Obviously, it wasn’t so he came back in.”

Statistically, Corral had one of his worst outings of the year in the loss vs. the Tigers, and Lane Kiffin said the game humbled the veteran quarterback.

“He has been very hard on himself over the last day-and-a-half,” Kiffin said. “The first down interception is just totally unlike him this season. … It just shows you everyone’s human no matter who you are or how good you are at a position. If you try to force things and get out of doing what the plan is, that can happen. He felt like he had to make a play. He’s at that point playing without five starters on offense. He was just trying too hard. He’s very competitive and that can backfire.”

Kiffin will hope Corral is fully healthy as Ole Miss looks to avoid an upset at home vs. Liberty on Saturday.