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Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin said he still hasn't made a decision on whether he'll stay or accept a job elsewhere following the Rebels' 38-19 win against arch rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Friday (November 28), but confirmed he plans to do so on Saturday (November 29)
"No I haven't. I got a lot of praying to do to figure that out tomorrow." Kiffin said to ESPN sideline reporter Taylor McGregor during a postgame interview. "Right now, I'm just gonna enjoy these players. I told them last night, 'you're gonna win your 11th game and I'll I want to do is experience joy watching you' and that's what I'm about to do."
Ole Miss, entering its final regular season game at No. 7 overall in the College Football Playoff rankings, improved to 11-1 (7-1 SEC) and could make the SEC Championship Game if both Alabama and Texas A&M lose in Week 14. Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter announced that Kiffin was expected to announce a decision on his coaching future on Saturday.
"Coach Kiffin and I have had many pointed and positive conversations regarding his future at Ole Miss, including meeting today with Chancellor Boyce," Carter said. "While we discuss next steps, we know we cannot lose sight of what is most important -- our sixth-ranked team that is poised to finish the regular season in historic fashion. Despite the outside noise, Coach Kiffin is focused on preparing our team for the Egg Bowl, and together, we want to ensure that our players and coaches can concentrate fully on next Friday's game. This team is on the cusp of an unprecedented season, and it's imperative the feel the support of the Ole Miss family in the week ahead. An announcement on Coach Kiffin's future is expected the Saturday following the game."
Kiffin surpassed David Cutcliffe as the third-winningest coach in Ole Miss history -- having previously tied Cutcliffe in 11 less games -- and has led the Rebels to double-digit wins in four of the last five seasons. The 50-year-old coach has been linked to several top college coaching vacancies including LSU and Florida, though ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Pete Thamel reported that he already declined Florida's offer on Friday.