If you are a College Football fan, or maybe even if you aren’t, you have probably been somewhat following the saga surrounding Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Despite the Rebels being on the cusp of a College Football Playoff run and currently holding a Top-10 ranking, Kiffin’s name has been routinely brought up in a couple of high-profile coaching searches. Those are the vacancies both at LSU and Florida. 

With the Kiffin camp visiting and flirting with those jobs, there has been a lot of pushback from the Ole Miss side. There had been speculation about an ultimatum that may or may not have been made by Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter, although that hasn’t been fully verified. Then, there was a message put out from Carter that there would be an announcement made about Kiffin’s future following their Egg Bowl matchup against Mississippi State. Everyone is left speculating what that means, but it doesn’t feel like it could be good for Ole Miss.

While all the talk centers around whether Kiffin should stay in Oxford or take one of those other jobs, there has surprisingly been very little talk about a return to the NFL recently. Anytime that a job opens up on the next level, Kiffin’s name does get routinely tossed around a good bit. Having spent some time with the Oakland Raiders, as well as his dad Monte Kiffin being one of the best defensive coordinators in NFL history, there have always been some questions around whether the younger Kiffin would consider a return to the league at some point.

When you compare a potential NFL job opportunity to staying at Ole Miss, or leaving to take on the jobs at LSU or Florida, it is a fair question to ask which is the better option to explore. Between fellow A to Z Sports college football analyst Joe DeLeone and myself, we debated whether Kiffin should entertain an NFL return and if that truly is the best option for him. There were some mixed opinions in that conversation.

Should Lane Kiffin hold off for NFL opportunities?

For me, the college game feels perfect for Kiffin. While his offensive mind is more than good enough to thrive on the professional level, his personality feels like a more suitable fit on the level he’s on currently. Whether his personality rubs you the wrong way or you appreciate it, many should be able to agree on one thing – it probably meshes better with the college athlete more than a professional. It’s uncertain how professional athletes would respond to some of the antics and outspoken X persona.

While DeLeone agrees that the college game is best for Kiffin, he does think that one NFL team could be an interesting fit for him if the option were on the table. It’s an organization that DeLeone knows very well – The New York Giants.

“There is only one job that Kiffin should consider jumping to the NFL for, and that’s the New York Giants,” DeLeone said. “Aside from New York, Kiffin is better off sticking to college football, considering the trend of college coaches who have failed to leap to the league. If Kiffin had more NFL experience, the move could make sense, but his deep ties to the college game make it clear where he fits best. 

“The reason why taking the job with the Giants is the only one worth considering is obvious: getting to work with Jaxson Dart again. With the success he had previously achieved with Dart at Ole Miss, it would be exhilarating to see him get the chance to further his development as a pro. With a young core of future stars, Kiffin could mold a team in his vision at the highest level. Most importantly, if he built a winning team in New York with a young quarterback the fan base loves, he’d be regarded as a legend in the region.

“Additionally, with many Ole Miss fans incensed by Kiffin’s potential departure, a move to New York may be the only option they wouldn’t be upset with. As many Ole Miss fans root for Dart in the NFL, he could receive that same treatment from fans, especially if he doesn’t spurn them to lead an SEC foe and have to face them in the future. That factor all comes down to how much Kiffing cares about his legacy and how he’s remembered in the history of football.”

Would a reunion with Kiffin and Dart be fun? Yes, for sure. Would the media get a lot of great content out of it? There is no question. Would Kiffin be a good fit in a market like New York, however? That feels like throwing gasoline on a fire, and one you have no way of putting out afterwards. Stay in college, Mr. Kiffin. It is probably for the best on both sides.

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