Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin was rewarded with a new contract after leading the rebels to an Outback Bowl spot and setting offensive records for the SEC in its first season.
“This is an investment in the future of Ole Miss football,” said sports director Keith Carter in a statement on Saturday. “We hired Coach Kiffin with the hope of revitalizing our football program, and in just one year, he did just that. His innovative offensive approach broke the SEC records, and with a recruiting class of the top 20 coming, the future is brilliant under Coach Kiffin’s leadership. We are committed to him and providing the necessary resources to take this program to the next level. “
Ole Miss did not disclose financial details of Kiffin’s new contract.
Under the terms of its original agreement, the contract was for four years and was worth $ 16.2 million. Kiffin, 45, earned a salary of $ 3.9 million for the 2020 season, and that total was set to increase by $ 100,000 each season. Under Mississippi state law, university employees cannot have contracts for more than four years.
“I appreciate Keith’s leadership and his commitment to building a winning football program,” said Kiffin. “Although I am proud of what our team has achieved this season, we have bigger aspirations for Ole Miss football. This is just the beginning and I look forward to continuing to build a championship program.”
The Rebels, who finished fifth in the West SEC with 4-5 this season, set the SEC record for the total attack in conference games (562.4 YPG). They ranked in the top 20 on FBS in 10 categories, including total attack, scoring attack, rushed attack, passing attack and first descents.