Report: Ole Miss dedicates big money to Lane Kiffin’s staff

Ole Miss football has dedicated more than $11 million in salary to Lane Kiffin and his staff for the 2022 season, according to a public records request by the Clarion Ledger. Following the $7.5 million per year contract extension for the Rebels’ head coach, the school invested more than $3.5 million in assistant coaches.

After being linked to several jobs across the coaching carousel, Lane Kiffin opted to extend his contract with Ole Miss after receiving a promise of increased investment moving forward. As part of the deal, he was given a $3.5 million salary pool for assistants and a fundraising campaign for new facilities.

The 2022 numbers put Kiffin’s staff inside the top half of the SEC in terms of guaranteed salary base, ranking seventh among the 14 member schools. With on-and-off success within the conference structure over past seasons, the school seems to see a chance to move up the pecking order with their current head coach.

The increased commitment in the program comes after a 10-3 season and Sugar Bowl appearance in year two under Kiffin. The offseason brought plenty staff changes as offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and co-defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, among others, were poached for more money at other schools.

Ole Miss additions

Lane Kiffin hired three new coordinators, on-field assistants, a new strength coach and general manager with the $3.5 million salary pool which brings Ole Miss’ total investment in staff over $11 million in 2022.

New offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss will make $800,000 in his first year in the SEC, re-joining Kiffin after time together at FAU. Adding to the offensive staff, running back coach Marquel Blackwell will reportedly signed for two years and $825,000 in base salary.

Co-defensive coordinator Chris Partridge received a big raise, brining his 2022 salary to somewhere between $1.2 and $1.3 million. Not all salaries have been released to this point but the report by the Clarion Ledger and Football Scoop places the final figure above $11 million.

In addition to the on-field moves, Kiffin added several other staff members who play a vital role in day-to-day operations, recruiting and transfer portal additions. General manager Austin Thomas joins the fold along with new strength coach Nick Savage.

The 2022 staff has already seen shake ups of its own after Chris Kiffin, brother of Lane Kiffin and son of Monte Kiffin, joined from the NFL before bouncing back to his previous role after a very brief stay.