Lane Kiffin became a subject of joke among fans after his former team Ole Miss Rebels makes strong playoff push without him. After leading the Rebels in their rivalry game against Mississippi State, Kiffin announced he is leaving Oxford to become the LSU Tigers’ newest head coach.
The Rebels elevated defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the role of head coach for the playoffs. On Thursday, the program defeated No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs 39-34 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl.
Seeing the team succeeding despite the absence of Kiffin, fans made the Tigers’ head coach a subject of memes, and we have preserved the 10 best such memes for you to enjoy:
Lane Kiffin watching Ole Miss advance from home
pic.twitter.com/Dr08yCErrN— AdouFanatic🦉 (@BronzeWrld) January 2, 2026
LSU watching Ole Miss play just as good without Lane Kiffin coaching pic.twitter.com/J1EQL8Sxin
— Dustin Nickerson (@DustinNickerson) January 2, 2026
Lane Kiffin rn pic.twitter.com/YoHnDvDTiU
— Zachary Brener (@zachary_brener) January 2, 2026
Ole miss won without that bum Lane Kiffin
Pete Golding out coached Kirby smart
Overcame the refs
I hate the SEC but I’m pulling for this team
pic.twitter.com/92GfD4pVb1— PePe (@CLEMSONPEPE) January 2, 2026
Lane Kiffin trying to celebrate Ole Miss’ win over Georgia https://t.co/ziSYYLIZC0 pic.twitter.com/QCHrKNyusV
— NFL Memes (@Nflmemes) January 2, 2026
Ole miss after beating Georgia without Lane Kiffin. pic.twitter.com/QyHf5JiC7p
— Toad (@TheToadKermit) January 2, 2026
Ole miss after beating Georgia without Lane Kiffin. pic.twitter.com/QyHf5JiC7p
— Toad (@TheToadKermit) January 2, 2026
Lane Kiffin watching Ole Miss go on a Cinderella run without him pic.twitter.com/FGO5WJVdxV
— Cam (@42Cyc) January 2, 2026
Lane Kiffin leaving a National Title caliber Ole Miss team for LSU in order to try to finally build a National Title caliber team pic.twitter.com/CAmHscyMzt
— NFL Memes (@Nflmemes) January 2, 2026
Lane Kiffin trying to get back into the Ole Miss facility after beating Georgia pic.twitter.com/UlLfwrIKt5
— NFL Memes (@Nflmemes) January 2, 2026
Lane Kiffin Hails Trinidad Chambliss After Ole Miss Defeated Georgia
Lane Kiffin dropped the flag of Trinidad and Tobago in reference to Trinidad Chambliss, the quarterback who led the Ole Miss Rebels in the win against the Bulldogs.
🇹🇹
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) January 2, 2026
Trinidad Chambliss led the Rebels from the front, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns and helping secure the win with a late field goal drive. After the win, Chambliss expressed his excitement while recalling how the last time when they were defeated by Georgia, he didn’t did well but with this performance, he kind of redeemed himself.
“My emotions right now, it’s crazy right now,” Chambliss said. “Really speechless, honestly, about everything, because it was that same point, we were down nine — or they were down nine the last time we played them, so it was kind of like roles reversed. And then, obviously, played them before. I didn’t play my best in the fourth quarter, so I wanted to redeem myself and get back again. So, honestly, just trusting my guys. Our coaches put us in a great position and we executed.”
Meanwhile, Rebels head coach Pete Golding addressed the perception many had around the team, counting Ole Miss out of the playoffs so soon.
“Yeah, I mean, we’re not really focused on destiny or anything like that. We just want to play ball and have fun,” Golding said. “A lot of people did doubt us before the season and they still doubted us when our coach left. We just want to play ball and have fun, and I think that’s showing right now.”
The Rebels are now in the CFP semifinal, where they will play against the Miami Hurricanes for a chance to feature in the national championship game.
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