Key Takeaways
- Smerconish.com poll questions Ole Miss's decision regarding coach Lane Kiffin.
- Ole Miss dismissed coach Lane Kiffin after he accepted a $91 million LSU contract.
- Kiffin's dismissal immediately preceded a key game, despite his request to finish the season.
- Sports experts debated Kiffin's departure, weighing player welfare against institutional integrity.
- A prior poll revealed a $100,000+ estimated cost of living for a U.S. family of four.
Deep Dive
- The Smerconish.com poll asks if Ole Miss should have allowed Lane Kiffin to finish the season.
- The question arises after Kiffin accepted the LSU coaching job mid-season.
- Arguments for and against the decision were presented to listeners.
- Lane Kiffin led Ole Miss to an 11-1 record and a strong college football playoff outlook.
- Kiffin, described as charismatic and sharp, was targeted by LSU after they fired Brian Kelly.
- LSU offered Kiffin a substantial seven-year, $91 million contract.
- Lane Kiffin requested to finish the season at Ole Miss to support his players' playoff run.
- Ole Miss denied Kiffin's request and dismissed him immediately before a key game.
- The decision aimed to avoid a 'lame duck' coach and negative headlines, potentially impacting the team's season.
- Nick Saban argued coaches should prioritize student athletes, stating players shouldn't be penalized.
- Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports suggested Kiffin's actions were typical of his career pattern.
- Bill Cowher questioned an athletic director allowing a coach who accepted another job to continue coaching, citing Kiffin's self-priority.
- Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde argued Ole Miss prioritized pride over the team's championship potential.
- Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal countered that Kiffin shouldn't coach for a rival school.
- The host personally felt Kiffin should have coached for the players' sake, acknowledging college football is a ruthless business.