"They weren't on the schedule the following year": When Lane Kiffin opened up about Nick Saban's surprising decision to retire from College Football

The retirement of legendary college football coach Nick Saban surprised many. But one person who may have not been surprised by this decision was the current coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin has been reported by USA Today as saying this on Saban's retirement:

“Listening to him in press conferences, … his frustration of the direction of college football and NIL and how that affects locker rooms and everyone wanting to transfer twice a year and all of that, that really bothered him. I felt ... and so I just kind of felt like this might be it – and certainly might be it within two years, because they weren’t on the schedule the following year.”

Lane Kiffin did not have any insider knowledge about Saban's decision. All he went by was his analysis of Saban's thoughts on the NIL and its rising influence in college football. Also, Ole Miss not facing Alabama in the upcoming season gave him a clue.

The latter has been something that Kiffin has linked to Saban's retirement in the past. In 2023, before Ole Miss faced Alabama, Kiffin told the SEC Network:

"We're excited for this opportunity today, and you never know how many more you've got. Maybe this is our last time?"

Lane Kiffin complains about the time his team is playing

Lane Kiffin also made comments about his team's game this week against the Georgia Bulldogs, specifically, the time that the game is being played.

The contest between the Rebels and Bulldogs is being held during the day. The game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide (now coached by Kalen DeBoer) is going to be the "night game" for the week.

Kiffin does not like this, telling those at his press conference:

"LSU gets to play at night again, I guess?... Shocker. So that’s 2-for-2 for them. It is an advantage. I feel bad for our fans, to not have at least one game at night for a conference game. It’s really unfortunate for them. So, whatever. It’s just really disappointing. It is what it is. This decision means that the Ole Miss Rebels will not be playing a home game against SEC opposition under the lights. "

Playing a game at night creates a unique atmosphere that is more beneficial to the home team than what it would be in a game during the daytime.

Ole Miss are again missing out on this, but LSU and the struggling Crimson Tide may benefit. At this point of the season, it could give them more of an advantage in the college football rankings depending on results.