If you told Lane Kiffin in 2016 that he would be living in Mississippi with two of his three children and his ex-wife less than one decade later, he probably definitely wouldn’t believe you. And yet, here we are.
The 49-year-old head coach at Ole Miss’ life completely changed because of a butterfly effect caused by a fake dog pee.
Before we go any further here, it should be noted that this is entirely hypothetical— if you have not caught on by now. But with that being said, this is actually a real thing. Let’s break it down.
Lane Kiffin and Layla Reaves Kiffin announced their divorce in February 2016 after 12 years together. They did so with a joint statement that prioritized their three offspring: Landry, Presley and Knox.
We are fully committed to our kids’ future being out No. 1 priority. We will maintain an amicable relationship with respect for each other as we raise these three wonderful children.
— Lane & Layla Kiffin in 2016
Both parents stayed true to their promise! Lane and Layla have been successful as co-parents. And now, almost nine years later, the latter is set to move from the greater Los Angeles area to the ‘Sip. She is moving back south with their son, Knox, who will enroll at Oxford High School. Landry is already there as a student at Ole Miss.
Are Lane Kiffin and Layla back together?
This rekindling has been in the works for a couple of years now but things have really ramped up over the last few months. Lane, who often travels out to Manhattan Beach during the offseason, posted a flirtatious video with Layla on Christmas.
Winner!!!! She misses 3 also. Look close 🏆 pic.twitter.com/s8zgPEvmau
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) December 26, 2024
He also posted a photo to celebrate Layla’s birthday over the weekend.
Landry, who is a similar personality to her father on social media, commented “hard launch.” Matt Leinart’s son Cole, who might as well be a part of the extended Kiffin family, commented “No way 😂😂😂” and alluded to “the modern family.”
Lane posted multiple photos from their celebration.
He later wrote a heartfelt note to his ex-wife after her birthday party.
What an amazing night. Was great to see you surrounded by so much love. ❤️ The joy on your face reminded me of our wedding day when you walked down the aisle. What a perfect venue!!! So glad we switched it to The Proper!!! You looked 30 🔥. Thank you for being my Rock
— @thereallanekiffin / Instagram
Even if Lane and Layla are not formally “back together,” whatever that means, they have formally reignited their friendship and share a love for each other. You get the idea.
So how did we get here?
Lane and Layla Kiffin officially divorced in 2016. Layla stayed in Los Angeles. Lane stayed in Tuscaloosa as the offensive coordinator at Alabama.
10 months later, Lane was named as the new head coach at Florida Atlantic. He stayed in that role through the 2019 season.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss was on the tail end of NCAA sanctions with Matt Luke as head coach. The Rebels finished 4-8 in 2019 with a loss to their in-state rivals in the Egg Bowl.
Mississippi State won the game 21-20 after Ole Miss kicker Luke Logan missed an extra point. The PAT was from 35 yards instead of 20 yards because of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the previous play.
D.K. Metcalf hiked his leg in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Bulldogs in 2017.
Elijah Moore paid homage to Metcalf two years later. It resulted in a 15-yard penalty. Logan missed. Ole Miss lost.
Because of how the Rebels lost that game, athletic director Keith Carter immediately fired Matt Luke as head coach. He hired Lane Kiffin not long thereafter.
Elijah Moore’s fake dog pee directly changed the course of college football history. It also indirectly changed the course of Lane and Layla Kiffin’s relationship.
Lane moved to Oxford. He got in great shape through hot yoga, a lack of carbs and sobriety. Landry enrolled at Ole Miss in the fall of 2023 and she made sure that her dad did not take the Auburn job last offseason. Now Layla and Knox are joining Lane and Landry in Mississippi.
None of this would’ve happened if DK Metcalf and Elijah Moore didn’t fake pee!