How Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's presence changes optics of rivalry with Mississippi State

OXFORD – Lane Kiffin had been in Oxford for less than 24 hours and someone formally asked if he plans to stay a while as the head football coach at Ole Miss. 

"Yes." 

Kiffin didn't say it. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter did. Kiffin's response was unapologetically on brand for the oft brash and energetic leader. 

"You didn't see how big my buyout was yet, did ya?" Kiffin asked the reporter. He chuckled before diving into his actual answer. 

Long story short: Kiffin wants to be at Ole Miss for as long as he can. The thousands of Ole Miss fans who packed the Pavilion on Monday afternoon for his introductory party want him to stay a while too.

Supporters of Mississippi State down in Starkville might be wishing otherwise. Here's why. 

Players want to play for Lane Kiffin

Yes, Monday's reception shall be deemed a party.

Concession stands sold beer at half price. Popcorn was aplenty. Rebel fans showed up in droves over an hour before the shindig started. It only lasted 20 minutes before Kiffin was ushered into a smaller, much quieter room for a formal press conference.

Those clad in red and blue loved all 1,200 seconds or so they were able to see Kiffin sitting and standing on a platform wearing a tie made of the same colors they wore on their own backs. 

Oh, about that tie – and the whole suit itself. It wasn't even his. It was his agent's. 

"There's a lot of stories behind this outfit," Kiffin said. "I had some really good suits. Then I went to Alabama and I gained some weight, so those don't fit anymore. So this is isn't even my suit. This is actually Jimmy Sexton's suit. He's lost weight, so we're kind of even now." 

It's that charisma, charm and comedy that have Ole Miss fans firmly believing they are on their way to becoming big brother in the Magnolia State again.

If there's one thing college football players yearn for as much or maybe even more than winning, it's playing for a head coach they connect with. It hasn't taken long for that to happen in Oxford. 

"I had a kid today just when I was walking around the field today come up to me," Kiffin said, "and he entered the portal I guess earlier in the season. He came up and said, 'Hey, I was leaving because I felt like I wasn't getting developed and it wasn't the right type of offense for me. I've never met you, but I know what you've done. So I'm taking my name out of the portal if you'll have me back.'" 

'I think they know who we are' 

Just last week, multiple Ole Miss players stormed out of a team meeting in which they were notified of former head coach Matt Luke's firing. Players loved Luke too, but he didn't have Kiffin's track record. 

The "Lane Train" has arrived in Oxford, and it's full steam ahead. Kiffin has overwhelming support from the administration, the fans and most importantly, the players. 

Mississippi State undoubtedly had the upper hand in recruiting once Luke was told to hit the road. ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill told the Clarion Ledger last week that recruits cannot stand instability. Ole Miss didn't have a lick of stability mere days ago. Now the Rebels have a players' coach. 

Kiffin, who worked as an offensive assistant at USC during the height of its dynasty under Pete Carroll and at Alabama as the offensive coordinator under Nick Saban, knows just how important it is to have that sort of positive relationship with players. 

Kiffin said "God's calling" for him was to develop college football players into great young men on and off the field. It's cliche, but all that matters is if he and his guys believe it.

"The good thing I think, not to sound arrogant, but I think they know who we are," Kiffin said. "They know players we've coached, championships and stuff. That usually makes it a little easier when they come in and they already know you've done it and they know players you've coached. 

"A receiver says, 'I remember you coaching Amari Cooper and him winning the Biletnikoff.' Or you're a running back and 'I saw what you did with Derek Henry and Reggie Bush, two Heismans.' We got a lot of really good things to sell that we have proof of."

'Keeping these kids home' 

Before even changing into comfy clothes after getting off the plane Sunday night, Kiffin went on a recruiting visit. Then he went on another visit Monday morning before the event got underway at the Pavilion. 

Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead has been recruiting all over the state since his team's win over Ole Miss on Thanksgiving night. If Kiffin sells Cooper and Henry and Bush, Moorhead sells Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley as success stories from his days as the offensive coordinator at Penn State. 

The playing field for Moorhead, though, has changed in a hurry. He is competing against a media darling who has the inherent momentum of a new hire.

Those associated with Ole Miss are still filing onto the train before it leaves the station. When it does, one of the biggest stops will be the Egg Bowl. The conductor doesn't want to leave without the Golden Egg. 

The swagger:Lane Kiffin makes his personality and approach known at Ole Miss

When asked about his new school's rivalry with Mississippi State, he didn't provide as much color as he did in other parts of his press conference. But there's no doubt he knows how important it will be in determining the overall success of his tenure with the Rebels. 

"Everywhere you go, you usually have rivalry games," Kiffin said. "This one may be a little unique in that the two are in the same conference, both in the same state. It's obviously very competitive in recruiting against each other and that's the biggest reason why you win games. We're excited about the competition and keeping these kids home." 

Contact Tyler Horka at thorka@gannett.com. Follow @tbhorka on Twitter. To read more of Tyler's work, subscribe to the Clarion Ledger today!