appears to be off the tracks.
Obviously, we have no idea how the U Free era will go at Auburn. Baggage aside, I think the guy is a solid coach overall, and I see us becoming competitive in this league again. But, the more I see from Lane Kiffin, the more I'm thanking the Karma Gods above that he's not Auburn's corch.
When the search was on, the media had pretty much anointed Kiffin as the guy for Auburn. It was a done deal and would be announced any day now. I don't think anybody except those involved, know what really went on, or whether it was all media driven. Did we really offer? Did he turn us down? Was it all just Kiffin and his agent playing us and Ole Miss for more money? Who knows? But, I'm glad it worked out the way it did.
While everyone was convinced he was our next coach, I was okay with it. Wasn't a "splash hire" in my book, but I thought he could do keen things with our resources. So, thinking he might be the guy, I started paying closer attention to his career, and more importantly, how he was running the Ole Miss program. By the time the horn sounded at the Egg Bowl, I was convinced I didn't want any part of this guy running our program.
The year before, I had openly said Kiffin cost them the game against Auburn by ridiculously going for it on 4th so many times, especially in their own territory. They kept giving it to us, and we took advantage, building a lead Ole Miss couldn't overcome. Another thing that was very noticeable, was how many times Ole Miss players got "injured" whenever we got some momentum. Didja' see the game last night??? The announcers were even making fun of how blatant it was, with players looking to the sidelines, then crumpling to the ground. Bush league crap.
Fast forward through shitty coaching decision, after shitty coaching decision, costing Ole Miss games down the home stretch this year, to last night. If you didn't watch it, Kiffin was OH FOR FOUR going for it on 4th down....before it was even midway through the 2nd quarter. Inexplicably pulling that bullshit deep in his own territory. If I was the Ole Miss brass, I'd consider firing the guy for cause. It almost looks like he's trying to sabotage his own program.
I heard some commentary a few weeks back after Ole Miss played Bama. They said Lane Kiffin has never matured as a coach, or a person. Agreed. And I'm happy as hell that either the media was wrong, or it didn't work out between he and Auburn, or he was playing us. Whatever the case, I'm thinking right now, we got the better end of the deal.