Ole Miss defied expectations and defeated No. 3 Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night, continuing their impressive run after head coach Lane Kiffin departed for LSU with an 11-1 regular season record.
Rebels Soar Despite Coaching Change, Star Player Calls Former Coach a ‘Troll’
Ole Miss is advancing to the Fiesta Bowl after a stunning Sugar Bowl victory, but not without pointed criticism of their former head coach.
- Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU after a successful 2025 season.
- Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl, advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
- Star defensive tackle Zxavian Harris publicly criticized Kiffin, calling him a “troll” who attempted to overshadow the team’s accomplishments.
- The Rebels will face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, with a potential national championship berth on the line.
The victory over Georgia, secured with a final score of 39-34, has propelled the Rebels, now led by Pete Golding, into the College Football Playoff semifinals. But the win was shadowed by strong words from senior defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, who didn’t hesitate to express his frustration with Kiffin’s timing and motives.
What impact did Lane Kiffin’s departure have on the Ole Miss team? Harris believes Kiffin was intentionally seeking attention at the expense of the team’s success. “Yeah, he was just trying to steal our shine,” Harris told reporters after the Sugar Bowl. “That’s all he’s trying to do. That’s all he’s been trying to do is steal our shine.”
Harris didn’t mince words, describing Kiffin’s decision to leave before the playoff as a “slap in the face,” adding, “Like a slap and the backhand.” He accused Kiffin of prioritizing personal attention over the team’s achievements. “He was trying to be a troll. We’re going to troll him. We got something for him.”
Did you know? Ole Miss finished the 2025 regular season with an 11-1 record, earning them a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Despite the controversy, Harris praised Golding’s leadership. “I know some people were down at first and came here because of Kiffin,” Harris said. “But after realizing how he was and when Coach Golding came in, they saw a difference in how a real head coach is supposed to be, and you’ve seen how we’ve come together.”
Ole Miss will now prepare to face the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl, scheduled for next Thursday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. A win would send them to the national championship game against either the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers or the No. 5 Oregon Ducks.
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