What did Paul Finebaum say about Lane Kiffin? Beef history explored in the wake of latest back-and-forth on X
College football broadcaster Paul Finebaum appears to be locked in to a war of words with the Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin. In the last few days, Finebaum has appeared to reignite the rivalry between them.
The last incident between the pair relates to comments made by Finebaum in the Tulsa World newspaper. Paul Finebaum was asked his thoughts on if the Ole Miss Rebels and Lane Kiffin would be able to make the College Football Playoff this season. Finebaum answered this question by saying:
"I would say no. Everyone in the media, we're on the older statesman side of it, is in love with Lane Kiffin. They think he's hilarious. I don't think he's that funny..."
"I don't think his tweets are that interesting, and his coaching has been underwhelming at times. I'll believe it when I see it, and I haven't seen enough for me to believe right now."
This season, the college football playoff will be expanded to 12 teams, giving Ole Miss more opportunities to make the postseason. In 2023, the Rebels would have been able to make the CFP if this model was used, as the 11-win Rebels ended the year as the ninth-ranked side, guaranteeing their spot in the playoffs.
Kiffin is hoping that Jaxson Dart, who played well last season, will be able to perform at the same level, and lead Ole Miss to their first spot in the CFP.
As for his tweets, Lane Kiffin is known for posting things about his Ole Miss team, his family, his dogs, and even his opinion of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition.
These are normal things that people post on social media about, but Finebaum does not appear to be a fan of this.
How did Lane Kiffin respond to Paul Finebaum's recent comments?
Lane Kiffin did respond to the latest comments made by Paul Finebaum. He wrote on social media:
"Why so angry Paul? I think you’re funny 😄😂. Also @Vol_Baseball won the Natty!!! How can you be in such a bad mood?? 😒"
How did the feud begin between Paul Finebaum and Lane Kiffin?
This back-and-forth between the coach and the broadcaster is an added incident in a feud that has been around for a good number of years.
Finebaum first started to make comments on Kiffin after his departure from the Tennessee Volunteers, moving on to coach the USC Trojans, with mixed levels of success.
Speaking before Kiffin was fired by USC during the early part of the 2013 season, Finebaum said:
"How did someone like Lane Kiffin ever get these jobs? How did he land the Raiders job? At Tennessee? And particularly the one at SC?People think it's because of his father, Monte, the great defensive wizard."
"In some respects, Lane Kiffin is the Miley Cyrus of college football. He has very little talent, but we simply can't take our eyes off him."
These comments annoyed Kiffin, and in 2022, he responded to Finebaum, blaming him for his exit at USC, saying:
"I spent eight years waiting for my chance to get back at you for getting me fired at USC... For calling me Miley Cyrus. My athletic director was watching the TV when you said it that morning!"
In the end, it may be Lane Kiffin who will have the last laugh in this feud, as one good season could already prove Finebaum wrong.