The Jimbo Fisher era of Texas A&M football came to a merciful end less than 24 hours after Lane Kiffin’s team got thrashed in every facet by Georgia on Saturday.
The school stated on Sunday that it would part ways with Fisher and would continue to pay the staggering $75 million remaining on his contract, shattering the previously most expensive buyout in college football. While associate head coach Elijah Robinson will oversee the Aggies for the remainder of the season, the hunt for the program’s future leader is underway.
Like clockwork, Lane Kiffin’s name has once again been a popular one thrown out in regards to a popular vacancy. National media have already thrown Kiffin’s name into the mix along with Oregon’s Dan Lanning, Duke’s Mike Elko and UTSA’s Jeff Traylor. Last season, Lane Kiffin was pretty heavily criticized by his own fanbase for not quashing speculation in regards to Auburn’s coaching vacancy last season, with many believing it playing a factor in last season’s collapse that resulted in a subpar 8-5 season by Kiffin standards.
On Sunday, when Kiffin was asked about the new vacancy, he once again was not willing to directly address the matter.
“I’m not going there again,” Kiffin said. “I should’ve been prepared for that question, I wasn’t. I’m not answering that.”
“… We got back in here late and been in here watching that disaster film, worrying about or own problems. I’ve not paid any attention to (Fisher’s firing). That’s the profession we’re in. Now more than ever, it’s a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ Things happen quick. Just is what it is.”
Ole Miss’ outside chances of going to the College Football Playoff and the SEC Championship game are now history after Saturday’s massacre, resulting in a 52-17 Georgia win. While the Bulldogs once again flexed the sheer amount of talent on their roster, Ole Miss didn’t help itself either. With multiple injuries and changes to the offensive line, things fell apart offensively after three quarters, while the defense failed to create a single negative play and allowed scores on basically all but two possessions.
The Rebels will play non-conference opponent Louisiana-Monroe at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday, November 18. The game begins at 11 a.m. CT and may be seen on SEC Network or heard on the Ole Miss Radio Network. Inside the Rebels will be on hand to provide updates, notes, data, and observations, among other things.
“We must now move forward.” We have one more home game to go to nine wins, which I think people used to think was a significant deal. “We need to go 1-0 this week to reach nine wins and advance to the next week,” Kiffin stated.
