The Ole Miss Rebels are still as good as they were when Lane Kiffin was coaching them. Kiffin left the team abruptly to join the LSU Tigers after setting up the Rebels for a playoff appearance this year. Interestingly, he still has some benefits attached to the Rebels’ success in the playoffs.
The Rebels played their first game today since Kiffin left. In the days leading up to the first round College Football Playoff matchup, many wondered if the Rebels would lose their touch without the head coach.
Ole Miss dominated from the first snap and took a 14-point lead in the first quarter that the Tulane Green Wave couldn’t recover from. They finished the game 41-10, which sent the message that the Rebels aren’t to be taken lightly.
Kiffin would be very pleased by this performance. Needless to say, he is still emotionally attached to the roster he built, and he even said it in his official statement that he wants to see the Rebels win the title.
He’d be happy for one more reason. Kiffin’s deal with the Tigers includes a unique clause that he will be paid the same amount he’d have earned for coaching Ole Miss in the playoffs. Kiffin knew the team he had built had potential and made a very smart move by adding the clause to his contract.
The deal includes a $150k bonus if the Rebels participate in the first round playoff. He secured that bonus a while ago. The bonus reaches $250k depending on the Rebels’ participation in the quarterfinal. Ole Miss has reached the QF after beating Tulane.
Despite not coaching the Rebels in the CFP, Lane Kiffin still benefits from their win against Tulane according to a term sheet obtained by ESPN.
More: https://t.co/abRYaEVwzA pic.twitter.com/BlxqZrNQ1l
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 21, 2025
So far, Kiffin has secured $250k from the Rebels’ success. The bonus tops at $1 million if they win the national championship.
Lane Kiffin is Rooting for Ole Miss
In his official statement, released shortly after Kiffin left the head coaching job in Oxford, Kiffin revealed that he wanted to be with the team till the playoffs. Even though he was destined to leave eventually, Kiffin wanted to coach his team in the final stretch.
He couldn’t convince the athletic director to allow him to stay with the team, which is why he had to leave in the middle of the season. In his statement, Kiffin talked about the love he had for his team and stated that he’d be rooting for them.
“I will forever cherish the six years I spent at Ole Miss and will be rooting hard for the team to complete their mission and bring a championship to Oxford,” Kiffin wrote.
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 30, 2025
If the Rebels manage to win the championship, Kiffin will make $1 million without actively coaching the team.
Read More:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
