Lane Kiffin is one of the most recognizable figures in college football.
He's also considered a villain by many around the SEC, most recently among the Ole Miss fan base after leaving the Rebels in the aftermath of last season's College Football Playoff run to take over LSU.
The animosity even led to a viral cameo in which former Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning, grandfather of Texas quarterback Arch Manning, delivered some pointed words about Kiffin. The legendary Rebels quarterback would eventually apologize for it.
"(Archie) actually left me a message right after apologizing. Called me a few names but that's okay. I've been called worse and I'm sure I'll be called the
same when we go back to Tennessee, just like Ole Miss," Kiffin said on Monday during his media availability.
Lane Kiffin talked about his relationship with the Manning family today. Earlier this season, it was noted that Archie Manning “stayed away” from Ole Miss while Lane was the head coach. pic.twitter.com/DxuxS5Ari5
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) November 9, 2026
Kiffin also discussed his relationship with the Manning family, calling it "unique." The 51-year-old has coached at Tennessee, Peyton Manning's alma mater, and at Ole Miss, where Archie Manning starred and Eli Manning later committed and became one of the Rebels own top quarterbacks himself. Cooper Manning, Arch Manning's father, was also committed to play for the Rebels before a spinal stenosis diagnosis ended his football career prior to his arrival in Oxford.
"Because, if you think about it, I left them twice. You got to remember the Tennessee part too, with Peyton. Awesome family, awesome people," Kiffin said. "I still once in a while on text whether it's a group text with the family or on the side with just Peyton or Cooper. They've been awesome at the places I've been and very supportive while we're there.
Saturday's top 15 matchup in Baton Rouge will be the first time Kiffin will coach against Arch Manning during his college career with the Longhorns. The 6-foot-4 quarterback, the former No. 1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, considered Ole Miss during his high school recruitment while Kiffin was still in Oxford, but chose to play at Texas under Steve Sarkisian.
LSU and Texas are set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lane Kiffin laughs off Archie Manning cameo, family drama before LSU vs Texas
