Lane Kiffin reflects on first ‘signature win’ as Ole Miss head coach

Lane Kiffin recognized the importance of Ole Miss‘ victory over Georgia in Week 11, as it pertained to the grand scheme of his coaching tenure in Oxford.

He’s had a ton of success with the Rebels, but it was truly the first signature moment Kiffin’s group has been able to achieve. It’ll be something Ole Miss fans don’t soon forget, and the head coach couldn’t have been happier to finally deliver.

“Really happy for our university,” Kiffin started. “Five years ago, when we came here, I thought about it this week, you know, coming off of four non-winning seasons here. (Vice) Chancellor Keith [Carter] made the decision to bring us here. A lot of really good things have happened, but there’s not been a signature game like this. We’ve come close, when Alabama was here. So, just really happy, because I know we’ve been close with games. For our fans, for them to be able to enjoy this.

“That’s a great Georgia team. Outside of Alabama, they’ve won 51 straight games against people, since COVID. So just happy for our players, to play that way. Kind of being dominant. To win by three scores, it’s a lot of people doing a lot of things right. This game started a year ago, when these guys beat us like that. Made a decision to go to the portal, got some guys to come back, not go to the draft, a lot for this game. I said it this week, this is why they came here, was for this game, to play Georgia.

“So, it’s a lot year, and a lot of offseason film work by the coaches to plan for this game. It didn’t just start this week. So, just really happy for a lot of people.”

Part of why Saturday’s clash was so special for Kiffin was the gritty performance of one of his transcendent players in quarterback Jaxson Dart. He’s truly helped Kiffin build a special place, and in the process they’ve cultivated an awesome relationship, and that’s when the emotions really hit the head coach.

“I think I kinda get lost in the game sometimes, so I don’t get all of that until later,” Kiffin said, regarding the emotions of beating Georgia. “… I don’t know. Kinda had a moment when she asked me on camera about the game, and she said, ‘How about your quarterback Jaxson, when he battled back,’ and Jaxson had just walked by and said, ‘I love you Coach,’ on the last play. He’s just an awesome kid, and to get hurt like that. I was like, ‘Are you sure?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah. Just like the Peach Bowl. Same injury, same type of feeling. I’ll be able to do it, just can’t run perimeter very well. I’ll find a way.’ So, it’s a really cool group of kids, and he led this thing.

“I said it in the offseason, he led, getting these guys all together, and like a coach. So, just really happy for him. Coming off last week, shattering those records, and then today, just get a gritty performance like he did. It was really awesome to watch.”

Alas, Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin have a tremendous shot at the College Football Playoff following their victory over Georgia, which saved their season. As long as they keep winning, the Rebels are going to have a shot at a couple more signature moments in 2024.