Lane Kiffin believes Ole Miss would've reached the national championship if he were allowed to coach the team in the College Football Playoff.
"If anyone wants to argue that theory, that if everything is kept intact, we're not in the national championship, what are you going to argue?" Kiffin told USA Today's Blake Toppmeyer.
After taking the LSU coaching job in late November, Kiffin was forced to step away from Ole Miss, which he'd led to an 11-1 regular season. Ole Miss' athletic department denied his request to remain with the team through the postseason, and defensive coordinator Pete Golding ultimately stepped in as head coach.
Kiffin's theory is that Golding would've continued to call the defense from the booth if he was permitted to remain with the team. As a result of the coaching change, Golding moved to the sidelines, which Kiffin says put the Rebels at a disadvantage.
"(If) Pete Golding is in the press box calling the defense, that team is in the national championship," Kiffin added. "I don't know what happens against Indiana, because the quarterback (Fernando Mendoza) is so good.
"We might win it, but we're definitely in it. We ain't losing to Miami."
Ole Miss went 2-1 in the College Football Playoff, defeating Tulane in the first round before topping Georgia in the quarterfinals. The Rebels' run then ended with a loss to Miami in the semifinals. Their defense surrendered 453 total yards to the Hurricanes, including a 133-yard performance from Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr.
Kiffin admitted that his push to coach in the playoff caused an unnecessary scene for both parties.
"Looking back, it would've been a lot easier on me emotionally and a lot of people if I would've just sort of been like, 'Hey, I'm leaving. I don't want to coach the playoffs. I'm leaving, thanks for everything. It's been a good run,'" the 51-year-old said of his exit from Ole Miss.
Ole Miss and LSU will face off at Vaught Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 19 in Kiffin's return to Oxford.
