By Andrew McCartyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Lane Kiffin era at LSU got off to an interesting start when the former Ole Miss head coach claimed he learned just 30 minutes before a final meeting with athletic director Keith Carter on Sunday, Nov. 30 that he would not be allowed to coach the Rebels in the playoff if he left.
“We presented a plan how that could be done and give the players there the best chance to win in the playoffs. And at the end of the day, that’s their decision, and I respect that,” Kiffin said of not being allowed to coach in the playoff. “We made a good point that may make sense to everybody outside, why the best thing was to keep us all together for the playoffs. It may make sense to all the national media why that made sense to do that. Like [Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter] said, he has to live there, and I totally respect that and I respect their decision, and so appreciative for them.”
His statement stood in the face of weeks of reporting suggesting it was clear to him that he wouldn't be allowed to coach in the playoff if he accepted another job.
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A few days after his departure, Carter made it clear Kiffin knew he wouldn't be able to coach in the playoff weeks before his exit.
"There's been a lot of things that he's said publicly that I'm not sure are totally accurate," Carter said. "I think that both coach and his representation knew several weeks ago that coaching in the playoffs was not going to be an option if he was not the Ole Miss head coach."
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Carter suggested the only question was if Auburn defeated Alabama in the Iron Bowl which would have meant that Ole Miss would made the SEC title game. Even still, the athletic director wasn't sure he would have allowed Kiffin to coach in that game if he left for LSU.
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