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Lane Kiffin, LSU add drama to Ole Miss’ CFP semifinal push with assistants originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Lane Kiffin may no longer be Ole Miss’ head coach, but his presence remains impossible to ignore during the Rebels’ historic College Football Playoff run.

As No. 6 Ole Miss celebrated a stunning 39-34 victory over No. 3 Georgia in Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl quarterfinal, the focus quickly shifted from the scoreboard to the sideline — and to how many of Kiffin’s former assistants will still be with the team when it faces No. 10 Miami next week in the CFP semifinals.

Multiple assistants have already signed contracts to join Lane Kiffin at LSU. So what's the timetable for them to migrate to Baton Rouge?

Ole Miss CFP assistant coaches on Lane Kiffin LSU staff

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.

Tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox

Wide receivers coach and passing-game coordinator George McDonald

Running backs coach Kevin Smith

Senior analyst Dane Stevens

Graduate assistant Sawyer Jordan

Sources told ESPN on Thursday night that Ole Miss officials remain uncertain whether all of those assistants will remain with the Rebels for the CFP semifinal against Miami next Thursday at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. The uncertainty is magnified by the opening of the transfer portal, which has created immediate recruiting demands for LSU’s incoming staff.

One Ole Miss source said some assistants have resisted leaving a team that is now two wins away from the first national championship in school history. “There are going to be some fireworks,” the source told ESPN. “We always knew this might be a possibility.”

Weis is expected to coach in the Fiesta Bowl, according to sources, but a plan is in place for the remaining LSU-bound assistants to return to Baton Rouge this weekend to assist with transfer-portal recruiting. That approach has created a delicate balancing act for Ole Miss, which is attempting to preserve continuity amid the most significant postseason run the program has ever experienced.

Kiffin was named LSU’s head coach on Nov. 30, prompting Ole Miss to elevate defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach only hours later. Golding has guided the Rebels through both CFP victories, including a dominant first-round win over Tulane and Thursday’s upset of Georgia.

What is Lane Kiffin Saying

“Everything has been extremely clear and transparent between myself and Pete Golding through constant communication, including a plan all the way through this historic championship run,” Kiffin told ESPN on Friday morning. “What an amazing night for all Ole Miss players, coaches and fans.”

However, Kiffin’s presence hovered over the Sugar Bowl. He considered attending the game and explored potential on-air appearances with ESPN before ultimately skipping the contest to attend an LSU women’s basketball game.

Earlier in the coaching process, Kiffin asked Ole Miss chancellor Glenn Boyce and athletic director Keith Carter to allow him to continue coaching the Rebels through the CFP even if he accepted another job. That request was denied, a decision Kiffin later criticized publicly. Several Ole Miss players disputed his version of events.

Nonetheless, Ole Miss rolls on to Glendale with a chance to make history on the biggest stage.