Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU because LSU is a better job. The Tigers have won three national championships this century, Ole Miss's only national title came pre-integration. Lane knows it, you know it, we all know it.
And yet, Sunday was not the time for Kiffin to come out and say that.
So, when asked why did he leave Ole Miss for LSU, the answer Kiffin gave was even more instructive than the real, nitty gritty answer.
Kiffin sat -- well, stood -- with ESPN's Marty Smith on Sunday -- and Lord knows Smith earned that interview, trailing him from Friday morning in Starkville, to the Manning Center on the Ole Miss campus on Saturday, to the Oxford County Regional Airport on Sunday afternoon -- and explained himself the best he could, given that there were irate Rebels fans on the scene.
When Smith asked what LSU offers that Ole Miss does not, Kiffin said, "I don't know all that. It just was something that I prayed on and made a family decision. Maybe it's right, maybe it's wrong. I think a lot of times you go prove things right. That's what we're going to do when we get there."
In addition to his family, Kiffin credited (blamed?) three people for giving him the guidance to leave: Nick Saban, Pete Carroll, and God.
"Coach Carroll said, 'Your dad would tell you to go. Take the shot.'"
God agreed with Carroll. "I talked to God and He told me it's time to take a new step. It's a new chapter," Kiffin said.
Kiffin left Oxford in a complimentary tone. Whatever animosity he felt toward AD Keith Carter for not allowing him to attempt to do both jobs through the Playoff did not make it to ESPN's airwaves. "I totally respect Keith's decision," Kiffin said. "I don't necessarily agree, but he's got a job to do. He said maybe all the national people understand why he should let me coach, but he has to live here."
With a 55-19 record, four 10-plus win seasons, four AP Top 15 seasons and one College Football Playoff berth, Kiffin left Oxford believing the mission was accomplished.
"I think we gave a lot to this program and to this city. Some of those historic wins in this stadium we've ever had. Best regular season in the history of the school. I feel proud of that. But," Kiffin said, "it just became time."