Kiffin says he expects to return as Ole Miss coach

Ole Miss caput manager Lane Kiffin said helium anticipates staying with the Rebels successful 2023, adjacent if Auburn offers him the accidental to capable its head-coaching vacancy.

Kiffin was asked astir his presumption aft Thursday's 24-22 location nonaccomplishment to Mississippi State successful the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss' 3rd consecutive decision to extremity the regular season. Kiffin, who is successful his 3rd twelvemonth arsenic Rebels coach, has been viewed arsenic 1 of Auburn's apical candidates to regenerate Bryan Harsin, who was fired Oct. 31.

"Yes, I do," Kiffin said Thursday erstwhile asked if helium expects to instrumentality to Ole Miss adjacent season.

Sources told ESPN's Chris Low that Kiffin met Tuesday with Ole Miss players and told them helium hasn't accepted a occupation astatine immoderate different school. WCBI-TV successful Columbus, Mississippi, reported Monday that Kiffin planned to measurement down Friday and instrumentality the Auburn job. Kiffin denied the report.

Asked aft Thursday's nonaccomplishment astir signing a caller declaration hold astatine Ole Miss, Kiffin noted that helium had signed respective with the schoolhouse and has been much focused connected the Mississippi State game. In December 2021, helium received an enhanced declaration with Ole Miss that accrued his wage to $7.25 cardinal this year.

If Kiffin so passes connected Auburn, Liberty manager Hugh Freeze is apt to beryllium pursued by the school. Freeze is 34-14 astatine Liberty aft coaching Ole Miss from 2012 to 2017, and going 39-25.

Kiffin is 23-12 astatine Ole Miss and 18-7 the past 2 seasons.