Lane Kiffin Gets Cryptic Amid Rumors Of $5 Million Raise

Lane Kiffin continues to toy with Ole Miss’s emotions as supporters seek clarity on his future in Oxford. Will he be the head football coach in 2026?

That answer remains cloudy. Kiffin has yet to give a definitive response with job speculation swirling. He continued his cryptic exploits on social media this week.

The head coach has the Rebels positioned to make their first College Football Playoff field, having won 10 of their first 11 games. That success is currently being overshadowed by off-the-field storylines.

LSU and Florida fired their coaches midseason. Each represents a premiere landing spot in the SEC.

Both programs have interest in Kiffin, a feeling that seems to be reciprocated given recent happenings.

Lane Kiffin’s family visited Gainesville and Baton Rouge.

His ex-wife took private trips to each location to vet potential suitors. Ole Miss responded by setting an ultimatum.

The Rebels want an answer by the final week of the regular season. Should he not adhere to that schedule, it could have major playoff implications.

If Lane Kiffin doesn’t meet deadline, Ole Miss would have to decide if it would allow him to coach in playoffs, sources told On3sports. If there is no resolution, it will be an agonizing decision for Kiffin & the Rebels.

-Brett McMurphy / X

Ole Miss is reportedly bracing for the possibility of Kiffin’s departure. It’s beginning to do its due diligence on possible replacements behind the scenes.

No one truly seems to have a grasp on the coach’s intentions. Kiffin, himself, might feel torn. He posted a passage to social media on Tuesday suggesting just that.

Have the best tuesday ever everyone. 💙❤️🇹🇹 #10-1 ⁦@OleMissFB⁩ pic.twitter.com/LO1e3gTz4x

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 18, 2025

“How do you know what to do next?” it reads. A fitting question given the circumstance.

“Ask yourself, honestly, what your 90-year-old self would advise… What you have sensed from the beginning. What you have ignored… the positives and negatives.

“Ask yourself what path will make you more of the person you are meant to be.”

What does it mean?

Kiffin was asked about Ole Miss being the “last chapter” of his coaching career after beating Florida this past weekend. He was non-committal on the future.

Is this Lane Kiffin’s last chapter at Ole Miss? pic.twitter.com/sgPkTnS12f

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2025

The quote posted by Kiffin signals an inner battle. Is he happy building a legacy in Oxford? Does he want a new challenge? Those questions, among others, will need to be answered before making a decision.

Money, of course, will also play a role.

How much can Kiffin make at LSU or Florida?

Both would likely need to exceed his current $9 million to make starting over worth his while. There has been reporting that suggests his suitors are open to offering that raise.

Football Scoop provided intel into a potential salary number linked to LSU. The site says the Tigers would be willing to make Lane Kiffin college football’s highest paid coach.

That means his annual pay would exceed that of $13.2 million man Kirby Smart. Should that number come to fruition, it would represent a $4+ million bump.

Kiffin will weigh his options, regardless of whether or not the salary rumors are true. Florida and LSU offer incredible opportunities, while Ole Miss provides stability.

The coach is likely in talks with all parties as he navigates this coaching search. Some believe they caught him in the act Monday night.

A supposed photo of Kiffin speaking on the phone outside the football facility is now circulating. The timing of that call, nor the identity of the caller, have been verified.

Those facts have done little to quiet the conversation. Many are referring to the picture as “The Sequel,” referencing a viral photo of Kiffin at Tennessee in the wee hours of the night before he bolted for USC.