The whole "If he doesn't want us, we don't want him" mentality might do more harm than good for Ole Miss in the Lane Kiffin drama.
Reports have it that the Rebels won't hesitate ditching Kiffin as their head coach in the College Football Playoff if he decides to go somewhere else after the season, a decision that is about to come this Saturday.
But how smart of a move would that be? Bidding adios to a coach of six years right before the Playoff, and a possible SEC Championship appearance as well?
Lane Kiffin is Ole Miss's smartest bet
Not very much. Because, in the end, it will only mean self-sabotaging what could be a successful College Football Playoff run.
"Why would Ole Miss willfully prohibit Kiffin, who gives the Rebels the best chance at advancing deep in the playoff, from coaching the team?" USA Today's Matt Hayes writes, explaining the point worth considering.
"Kiffin isn’t going to be torn about who he’s working for; he’s playing for the national flipping championship. Meanwhile, Ole Miss can hire a coach, too, with the understanding he’s not part of the place until the CFP run is over."
But, in very simple terms, the chances that the said newly hired head coach could lead the Rebels to a successful Playoff run are slim as they get. Why would they take the risk if Kiffin were available?
"Sure, it’s wonky and unlike anything we’ve seen, but so was playing football during a pandemic because you couldn’t bear dealing with the consequences of not playing."
"Why in the world would Ole Miss willingly bear the consequences of playing in the CFP without Kiffin?"
If they do consider keeping Kiffin around in the postseason, they will not be risking having an embarrassing Playoff run, while avoiding an ugly exit with Kiffin: dodging two bullets at once.