Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss are off to a perfect start, sitting at 6–0 and looking every bit like a College Football Playoff contender. The Rebels have been sharp and balanced, which is a reflection of their head coach’s steady hand and experience.
Across the country, though, another big-name coach has found himself on the opposite end of the sport’s unforgiving cycle. James Franklin’s run at Penn State came to an abrupt end this week after three straight losses derailed a once-promising season.
His dismissal has dominated college football headlines, not just because of timing but also because of the staggering $49 million buyout that comes with it. That number has sparked endless debate about where the sport is headed financially.
For Kiffin, who has seen the volatility of the coaching profession up close, Franklin’s situation served as another reminder of how quickly things can change. The Ole Miss coach pointed out that success no longer buys security.
“More than ever, it’s what have you done for me lately?” Kiffin SAID. “It’s always been that way, but (Franklin) had them in the Final Four last year and in the top 5 this year, and then poof … he’s gone.”
NEW: Lane Kiffin sees the chaos around him — firings, rumors, and the coaching carousel spinning — but he’s focused on what’s in front of him, he tells @clowfb🦈
“If you’re not, that’s when it all falls apart.”
Story: https://t.co/xJ5brUINW9 pic.twitter.com/79McbBRItm
— On3 (@On3sports) October 17, 2025
Programs are spending unprecedented amounts to move on, and Franklin’s exit shows that no resume or recent success guarantees job safety. Franklin leaves behind a complicated legacy.
He turned Penn State into a consistent winner, revived recruiting, and brought the team to the playoff last season. But his struggles in big games and a frustrating slide this fall proved costly. The firing underscores how little patience exists in a sport driven by results and expectations.
Lane Kiffin is Focused on Standards
Some around college football believe Lane Kiffin might prefer to stay at Ole Miss because the expectations there aren’t as relentless as at blue blood programs. But Kiffin has made it clear that comfort isn’t part of his mindset.
“I’m the one who’s miserable, and somebody saying, ‘Well, you won here before and really weren’t supposed to win that many,’ doesn’t help me,” Kiffin SAID.
He measures success by his own standards, not by job security. For him, anything short of a double-digit win season feels like failure, no matter the program or outside expectations.
While Kiffin is focused on maintaining high standards for himself and his program, he isn’t going to be bothered by other people’s opinion. It’s this attitude that has kept his team unbeaten after six games in this season so far.
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