The College Football Playoff semifinals are official, featuring Indiana, Oregon, Miami, and Ole Miss—exactly as many anticipated at the start of the season. Ole Miss, now under the leadership of coach Pete Golding following Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU, is at the center of a noteworthy subplot in this year’s postseason drama.
Coaching Changes and Financial Implications
Lane Kiffin, who previously held the position at Ole Miss, included a performance-based bonus structure in his contract, which stipulated payouts contingent on the team’s success in the playoff. Despite not coaching any games during this year’s College Football Playoff, Kiffin will still benefit financially as LSU will honor these contractual obligations. His contract includes a bonus system that benefits from Ole Miss’s deep playoff run.
Increased Payouts Following Victories
After Ole Miss triumphed over Tulane in the first round, Kiffin was set to receive a $250,000 bonus. Following the Rebels’ thrilling 39-34 victory against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, that amount has increased to $500,000. As part of Kiffin’s agreement with LSU, these bonuses fall under “ancillary benefits,” meaning the financial implications for LSU could grow significantly. If Ole Miss advances past Miami in the semifinals, Kiffin’s payout could reach $750,000. Should the Rebels secure the championship by defeating either Indiana or Oregon, Kiffin stands to earn a total of $1 million.
Ole Miss’s Historic Push for a Championship
Amid these financial maneuvers, Golding has skillfully guided Ole Miss to what has been their best season to date, currently boasting a record of 13-1. The Rebels recently avenged their sole defeat by overcoming Georgia in a game marked by dramatic comebacks and a riveting fourth quarter, during which both teams scored a combined 30 points. The game’s final moments featured a flurry of celebrations, including rushing the field and confetti showers, making for a captivating college football experience.
As Ole Miss aims for its first championship in the College Football Playoff era and its first national title since 1962, the stakes, both on the field and contractually, have never been higher.
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