Lane Kiffin reveals how social media barbs impact collegiality among coaches at SEC Spring Meetings

Lane Kiffin is never afraid to take a few shots on Twitter, especially in the direction of Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher. Sometimes, Kiffin decides to be subtle with his tweets; other times, he just directly posts articles bashing the Aggies. Of course, he defends Nick Saban a ton as well

Social media is one thing but every year, the 14 SEC head coaches are in the same room during Spring Meetings in Destin. Kiffin was asked if there is ever any lingering awkwardness and he quickly dismissed the thought. Even a year ago during the peak of Fisher vs. Saban, everyone is just there to do their jobs.

“I’ve said this before,” Kiffin began. “That room is different than what you guys probably picture it as being. Even last year with the Jimbo, Nick stuff. It’s not like that in there. We have jobs and part of it is whatever we do in front of the camera or out there on the field and stuff.

“That’s just part of the job. It’s much different in there, for the most part, with coaches and doing over years and seeing coaches have spats. They’re usually pretty good in there.”

There were plenty of topics to discuss at Spring Meetings this year and Kiffin’s Twitter usage is most likely not one of those. Everyone is just trying to do what’s best for their program and the SEC. Even so, it’s still something Kiffin decides to have fun with.

While there might be a few scattered tweets about other coaches, Fisher is the usual target. Kiffin is still upset over comments Fisher made over his ability to bring a legendary 2022 recruiting class to College Stations, saying NIL did not play a factor.

Some in Oxford do wish the tweets were not as frequent, though.

“He’s not the only one,” Lane Kiffin said. “When people say certain things, it just cracks me up. So, I struggle letting it go on those things sometimes. My SID tells me to let it go but when someone says that NIL has nothing to do with why someone signed to their place and they signed the best class in the history of recruiting, I struggle with that statement.”

Kiffin is 2-0 against Fisher since taking over at Ole Miss, not playing during the 2020 season. They will meet on the football field again on Nov. 4, coming back to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.