By: Jersey Hendrix
Ole Miss fans are still reeling from Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave Oxford right before the College Football Playoff.
The timing was beyond dramatic. Coming off of an 11-1 season plus a thrilling Egg Bowl victory in Starkville, the Rebels are really doing their big one. For the first time, the playoff felt within reach, and the program seemed ready to step onto the national stage. Then, just as that celebration was setting in, Kiffin announced he was heading to LSU.
To many fans, that move felt like betrayal. The coach who had guided his team through one of its best seasons in history walked away at the very moment Ole Miss needed him most. The disappointment isn’t just about football, it’s about timing and loyalty.
For my girls who understand football but don’t quite understand the impact, here’s an example: You book a braider weeks in advance because you’re going out of town. You have the appointment set in stone. You are so excited about your bohemian medium knotless. You know you are going to look so tea. Then, at the last minute, that stylist calls and cancels because someone else offered her more money and she’s open to moving your day. The frustration, the scramble, the being left hanging-that’s what Ole Miss fans felt when Kiffin left. The playoffs were the “trip,” the big moment, and suddenly you felt delayed.
But just like finding that last-minute braider who saves the day, Ole Miss has Pete Golding. He stepped in as the rescue, when everything seemed so unclear.
This season will always be remembered for its highs-the Egg Bowl win, the 11-1 record, the playoff berth-and for the heartbreak of losing a coach at the height of success. But, things happen and it’s just a sign that more doors will open. With that door being Pete Golding stepping in, Ole Miss has a chance to show that strength is not about who leads you but how you respond when the unexpected happens.