Lane Kiffin explains the biggest perk of coaching in college vs. the NFL

Ole Miss football's continued success has been met with rumors about head coach Lane Kiffin moving on from the Rebels, whether that be to other college jobs or the NFL. Kiffin continued to rebuff those rumors and made an even stronger case yesterday for why he was happy in Oxford.

Speaking to Colin Cowherd on his show The Herd, Kiffin mentioned a few reasons he was happy at Ole Miss while giving one big reason why the NFL did not interest him. Winning in college football can help you get the best players.

Winning in the NFL is met with lower draft picks

When Colin Cowherd asked Kiffin why he wouldn't take a job in the NFL if he were guaranteed one, Kiffin gave several reasons, one of which was a massive perk in college football compared to the pro level.

You are punished with a low draft pick when you win in the NFL. However, in college football, winning can help you bring in the best players, with recruits wanting to be part of a team that competes with the likes of Georgia and Alabama and win championships.

The hard work Kiffin has put in over the five seasons in Oxford is starting to pay off this season. After an 11-2 season in 2023, Kiffin and his staff brought in some star names via the transfer portal. The defensive front, which had several high-caliber portal guys, is the best in the nation, having helped dominate Georgia a few weeks back.

Ole Miss is just two wins from a college football playoff spot, and recruits see that. They recently flipped 5-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham from Alabama, a decision helped by the team's position.

Kiffin also mentioned that college football has become like the NFL due to the transfer portal being like free agency at the pro level. Evaluating players, paying players, and building a roster are all very similar. However, unlike the NFL, you have small college towns, fans, and atmospheres, unlike what we see at the next level, which Kiffin loves.

He finished by saying that getting Ole Miss to this point would not make much sense leaving now. That is good news for the Rebels fans, as it indicates he is happy in Oxford.