Lane Kiffin explains how he would quantify whether 2022 is a success for Ole Miss

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin explained how he’d define success for the Rebels in 2022, following a dominant 2021 season. His comments came during a press conference.

“I don’t put a number, you know, ever. Win this many games–cause there’s so many variables that happen throughout a season,” Lane Kiffin said.

“So, success is just doing the best we can, developing our players on and off the field, and a lot of times, obviously, the outcome of the scoreboard, and the wins losses. But, sometimes, you can have successful years and the kick goes in versus out, or the ref doesn’t see the ball hit the guy’s hand on a kickoff return. So, you know, as coaches it’s hard to do, but to look at how well did we really do. Not just the record.”

2021 was one of the best seasons that Ole Miss has had in program history. They finished second in the SEC West, won 10 games, and played in the Sugar Bowl. If it wasn’t for an injury to star quarterback Matt Corral in the Sugar Bowl, then there is a good chance that Lane Kiffin could have led the Rebels to their first Sugar Bowl win since 2015 and just their second since 1969. 10 wins also matches the most that Ole Miss has ever won in a single season.

2022 is going to be difficult for Lane Kiffin to repeat that success. The program is going through massive roster turnover, including losing Corral to the NFL. Kiffin is using the transfer portal to patch holes, but that’s always a gamble. On top of that, it’s never easy to play an SEC West schedule.

Lane Kiffin has proven capable of building the Ole Miss program to massive success in the past. Now, he’s looking to do it again. As he pointed out, though, success is more than just winning and losing.