Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris did not hold back when discussing former head coach Lane Kiffin’s abrupt departure from the Rebels, calling it “a slap in the face” and accusing Kiffin of “trying to steal our shine.”

Kiffin left Ole Miss last month to become the head coach at LSU, a move that shocked the college football world midway through the season. Ole Miss opted not to let him finish out the year, leaving the team during one of their best campaigns.

“Trying to Steal Our Shine”

Speaking to ESPN, Harris criticized Kiffin’s behavior around the Sugar Bowl. The former Rebels coach had expressed interest in attending the game on Jan. 1, when Ole Miss faced the Georgia Bulldogs, and Harris felt this was a way to remain in the spotlight.

“That’s all he’s trying to do. That’s all he’s been trying to do — steal our shine,” Harris said.
“He was trying to be a troll. We’re going to troll him. We got something for him.”

After Ole Miss’ upset win over Georgia, which secured their College Football Playoff semifinal spot against the Miami Hurricanes on Jan. 8, Kiffin congratulated the team on social media:

“What a great finish!!! So much fun!! Only two more to go @OleMissFB,” accompanied by photos of his family celebrating.

Controversial Departure

Kiffin’s exit came after Ole Miss fired him, preventing him from coaching the Rebels for the remainder of the season. Social media posts showed what appeared to be Kiffin’s clothing left outside an athletic facility, fueling tensions among fans.

Meanwhile, Kiffin’s daughter, Landry Kiffin (20), trolled critics with a playful TikTok video set to Niki Watkins’ “The Joke Is On You,” captioned:

“Wish I could be as creative as angry football fans. ❤️‍🩹”

She later added, “It’s not that deep,” referencing her father’s move to LSU.

Next Up for Ole Miss

The Rebels will face Miami in the College Football Playoffs semifinal on Jan. 8, giving Harris and the team a chance to show they can succeed without Kiffin in the coaching seat.