Lane Kiffin is not officially “leaving” Ole Miss yet, but he is seriously considering other jobs because major programs like LSU and Florida are pursuing him with huge offers, and Ole Miss’ administration is simultaneously preparing for the possibility of moving on without him. The situation is driven by money, career opportunity at traditionally bigger programs, and growing tension inside the Ole Miss program over the prolonged uncertainty.

What is happening

• LSU and Florida have reportedly offered Kiffin contracts worth upwards of around $90 million, making them extremely attractive next steps compared with his current deal at Ole Miss.

• Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter has set a deadline (the day after the Egg Bowl) for a decision on Kiffin’s future, signaling that the school is prepared to move forward without him if he will not fully commit.

Why he might want to leave

• Kiffin has hinted in past interviews that he never expected to stay at Ole Miss forever and that he is open to seeing what he can do at a blue‑blood program with even more resources and national reach (like LSU or Florida).

• Bigger jobs typically offer higher budgets, deeper recruiting reach, and a clearer path to the national title picture, which can be appealing for a coach trying to shape his long‑term legacy.

Why Ole Miss may be ready to move on

• Commentators such as Paul Finebaum have said they believe Ole Miss has internally decided it cannot keep Kiffin if he continues to entertain other offers because the ongoing drama creates a major distraction and risks players following him to a new school.

• Reports before the Egg Bowl described “tension” and “frustration” within the staff over the uncertainty, leading the administration to push for a firm resolution rather than letting speculation drag into the playoff.

Is there one single reason?

• There is no single confirmed “because” yet; instead, it is a mix of factors: enormous contract offers, the chance to coach at a historically bigger brand, his own openness to a new chapter, and Ole Miss’ desire for stability and commitment.

• Until an official announcement is made after the Egg Bowl, the situation remains fluid, but all current reporting frames his potential departure as a career and legacy decision rather than a simple dispute with Ole Miss.