Lane Kiffin won’t allow his assistants to continue with Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff. While he wasn’t given the chance to coach the Rebels through the playoff after agreeing to become LSU‘s coach, Kiffin allowed his assistants to stay with the team for the campaign.
However, heading into the semifinal against Miami, the assistants have now been ordered to resume work in Baton Rouge, marking the end of their time with the team. Stephen A. Smith reacted to this on in his Thursday appearance on “First Take,” hitting out at the coach.
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“All the words that came out of his mouth about caring about the kids and stuff like that just goes right out the window,” Smith said. “And it’s a damn shame. I’m one of those people that has always supported Lane Kiffin moving to LSU. I said that was absolutely the right move to make, and I stand by that.
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“He deserves all the credit for where Ole Miss is right now as a football team…that’s separate and apart from you as the person and what people have said about you. And at a time where you have every opportunity to not remind people of those character flaws others have said you had, here you go reminding them.”
The list of assistants set to resume work at LSU with Lane Kiffin includes offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., wide receivers coach George McDonald, running back coach Kevin Smith, tight ends coach Joe Cox and a host of others.
Stephen A. Smith believes Lane Kiffin should have been decisive
Speaking further on “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith noted that Lane Kiffin should have been decisive on what he wanted for his assistants after leaving Ole Miss. He believes the improper move has vindicated the critics of the coach regarding his perceived character flaws.
“My attitude is this, either the coaches are allowed to coach or they’re not,” Smith said. “You don’t let them coach against George or anybody else, but then all of a sudden you’re gonna pull them when you’re in the final four.
“You either let them coach through the duration until Ole Miss season is over, or you don’t. Whatever decision you make, you make it up front and you live with it. If he said ‘No, whoever’s coming with me is coming with me now, we’re not gonna coach Ole Miss.’ You might not have liked it, but you understood it.”
Lane Kiffin led the Rebels to an 11-1 finish in the regular season before deciding to move to Baton Rouge. The Rebels now face a big challenge ahead a crucial Fiesta Bowl encounter against the Hurricanes with the absence of several coaching staff.
Edited by Farouk Yusuf
