"Mississippi is a very misunderstood state": Lane Kiffin makes eye-catching statement ahead of iconic Egg Bowl
It's been nearly five years since Lane Kiffin took over as head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels football program. With over two decades of coaching experience, Kiffin has led the team to an 8-3 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the Southeastern Conference this season.
Ahead of Saturday's iconic Egg Bowl showdown against SEC in-state rivals Mississippi State Bulldogs, Kiffin shared his thoughts on Mississippi State during Monday's press conference, emphasizing that the place is perceived wrongly at times.
"I've been here now going on five years," Kiffin said. "This is, I've talked about it before, this has become a place I've really grown into and seen, you know, as Landry coming here to high school and now college, and I've built so many relationships with so many people," he added.
Kiffin also talked about the death of his father and the support he received from the place thereafter.
"And then my father's situation and just reflecting on that, and how much support I've received from all the people around here," Kiffin said. "I never thought he would have passed in Oxford, Mississippi. And that really gave me a lot of appreciation for the people around here."
Kiffin also recalled a conversation he had with the team's senior analyst about Mississippi.
"Joe Judge and I actually had a conversation about that this week, about how Mississippi is a very misunderstood place until you really live here," Kiffin said. "And then once you do, you get it. So, it's a really special place to me, you know, and one that I think we can win at."
Lane Kiffin looks to move on from Florida debacle
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin had a tough week after the Rebels' 24-17 loss to the Florida Gators in Gainesville.
"Obviously, a lot was at stake, and we didn't come through," Kiffin told reporters after the loss.
The Rebels entered last week with hopes of making the 12-team College Football Playoff field by defeating Florida and Mississippi State. However, after their loss to the Gators, their playoff hopes are now dashed.
The Egg Bowl will be a dead rubber with no serious implications since the Bulldogs who are 0-7 in SEC and 2-9 overall have no chances of becoming bowl eligible.