Lane Kiffin has been rolling this season. His Ole Miss Rebels entered today’s matchup against Georgia unbeaten and full of confidence. The Rebels’ offense has been sharp, their defense improved, and Kiffin’s sideline energy has been impossible to miss.
Facing Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs, the Ole Miss coach found a way to keep things light and stir the pot at the same time. Late in the first half, Kiffin called a timeout to ice Georgia’s kicker. What made the moment stand out wasn’t the timeout itself, but what followed.
As cameras caught him signaling to the officials, Kiffin appeared to mock Smart’s recent “clapping” controversy. He motioned dramatically with his hands, smiled, and seemed to say he was “just clapping.” It was a clear nod to the viral moment from Georgia’s game against Auburn a week earlier.
NEW: Lane Kiffin trolls Kirby Smart and officials over clapping controversy after calling a first-half timeout 😭
“I was clapping”
(via @playazball)https://t.co/Gpo5As4IDI pic.twitter.com/DCTgLbKvyd
— On3 (@On3sports) October 18, 2025
That earlier incident had set off a debate around college football. In that game, Smart looked to be signaling for a timeout on a crucial third down. Officials stopped the play, reset the clock, and Georgia wasn’t charged a timeout.
Smart later insisted he wasn’t trying to stop play at all. He said he was alerting referees that Auburn’s defense was clapping before the snap, something that can cause false starts. Critics argued Georgia benefited from what looked like an unearned timeout.
Kiffin clearly hadn’t forgotten. His playful jab came just as Smart’s team tried to regain momentum. The Georgia coach, locked in on the game, didn’t react publicly, but social media quickly noticed Kiffin’s dig. Fans praised the Ole Miss coach’s humor and timing.
At halftime, the Rebels had a one-point lead over the Bulldogs. Georgia managed to turn things around in the second half and registered a 43-35 victory and handed the Rebels their first defeat.
Lane Kiffin Responded to Terry Saban
On the broadcast of College GameDay, Terry Saban was asked about the possibility of Nick Saban returning to coaching and potentially taking a job at Penn State Nittany Lions. She acknowledged that Saban could still win another national championship if he came back.
She then made a remark about not wanting to “take the opportunity away from all of our baby coaches,” naming both Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin in the process. Upon seeing the comments, Kiffin reacted on social media. He posted a message simply saying:
“Thanks Mrs. Terry.”
Thanks Mrs. Terry 😂 https://t.co/SAlR4cf5Y5
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) October 18, 2025
The “baby coaches” label came in a moment of playful banter, but also contains a competitive edge. Terry’s words served both as a compliment, acknowledging the standing of Smart and Kiffin, and a subtle jab, placing them in the category of younger coaches under the larger shadow of Nick Saban.
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