Oxford, MS – Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is facing mounting criticism from Rebels fans after publicly supporting his son Knox Kiffin’s recent visit to the University of Alabama—one of Ole Miss’s biggest SEC rivals.
The controversy began when Kiffin shared photos and videos of Knox, a rising quarterback prospect in the class of 2028, participating in Alabama’s football camp over the weekend. In one clip, Knox stood at the Crimson Tide’s media podium, jokingly imitating his father’s postgame demeanor. Kiffin captioned one of the posts with a thank-you to Alabama’s football program, writing:
> “@AlabamaFTBL thank you.”
While many viewed the moment as a lighthearted, proud-dad gesture, some Ole Miss supporters weren’t amused. Critics argued that publicly promoting a rival program—especially while serving as head coach of Ole Miss—sends the wrong message about loyalty and optics within the fiercely competitive SEC.
“This is tone-deaf,” one fan wrote on social media. “How do you expect Rebels fans to stay loyal when our own head coach is hyping up Alabama?”
Kiffin, known for his charismatic and often polarizing social media presence, hasn’t publicly addressed the backlash. However, defenders point out that familial pride shouldn’t be mistaken for disloyalty, especially considering Kiffin’s past ties to Alabama, where he served as offensive coordinator under Nick Saban from 2014 to 2016 and helped win a national title.
Knox Kiffin, currently attending Oxford High School, has already received scholarship offers from several programs, including Tennessee, SMU, and Arkansas State. His visit to Alabama—likely one of many high-profile stops—has sparked speculation about where the younger Kiffin might commit in the coming years.
Still, for now, the spotlight remains on Lane, with fans and analysts questioning whether a personal father-son moment has inadvertently sparked a larger conversation about school loyalty, public image, and the fine line between family and football in the SEC.
Lane Kiffin Draws Criticism for Alabama Support Amid Ole Miss Tenure
