Own Your Choice. No Victim In Kiffin Departure.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve watched some incredible College Football. We’ve watched several high profile programs fire their coaches (James Franklin and Brian Kelly), thus revving up the glorious Coaching Carousel a touch earlier than perhaps we’d like.

The odds for “Next XXX Coach” go up on betting websites immediately, and insiders and pundits begin to ferret out information and speculate on the landing spots in this game of musical chairs. So, swept into those conversations about LSU and Florida were a number of top-tier head coaches and coordinators on the rise. Firmly entrenched at the top of those lists was then-Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin. He’s established a tremendous comeback story and rise in Mississippi, producing four seasons of double-digit wins (including the current campaign). Of course, Ole Miss is on a magical ride right now with the College Football Playoffs in sight. So, the Kiffin conversation led to lot of hand-wringing and, to me, disingenuous conversations about loyalty and respect while ignoring timelines, deadlines and good old common sense.

Kiffin made a choice for myriad reasons. He cited his mentors and advisors, prayers and the memory of his father. He looked at the landscape and decided to leave. Keith Carter is not the bad guy here, regardless of whatever somber note gets put forth in Kiffin interviews or how you read the official statement.

I always say – recognize your choice. Kiffin isn’t going to win in the court of public opinion. It’s just how the term “Death Valley” is applied on Saturdays next fall.

Check out the video.