The latest look at local teams in postseason play.
High school football nearing the end
Author: Craig Ford
The latest on Lane Kiffin
Many expected to find out Lane Kiffin’s football coaching future Friday after a meeting with top Ole Miss officials. We at least know what the future apparently holds through the end of next week.
So the white hot speculation in the days leading up to that meeting will not subside just yet, especially since two other Southeastern Conference schools still want Kiffin as their coach and are willing to wait for his answer. Yahoo Sports reported Friday night LSU is looking to make an offer that may include a contract worth at least $90 million and a big money investment in NIL. That report comes after a Thursday meeting between representatives of Kiffin and Florida, according to 247 Sports. Former Mississippi State and current Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin reportedly took part in that meeting.
Also not likely to subside is the grumbling by some fans that Ole Miss is even in such an awkward position in the first place.
Meanwhile, the 10-1 Rebels not only have the Egg Bowl ahead but a likely appearance in the College Football Playoff, which could include an opening round game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
As for AD Keith Carter, he has two challenges to address if Kiffin departs for Baton Rouge, Gainesville or elsewhere:
- Choose an interim coach
- Choose a permanent replacement
The second challenge would likely be the tougher task since Ole Miss would not be the only school looking for a football coach from the same group of candidates — a group that becomes smaller if Arkansas, Auburn and the Florida/LSU loser make hires before the CFP first round December 19 or 20.
Then again, Carter could find his new coach in Oxford if the interim coach can guide the Rebels to a successful postseason run.
Weather alert
There’s an app for that
The Mississippi Lottery has launched an app for those who play. You can’t buy tickets on it, but there may be other things that interest you. From the lottery’s news release:
- For the first time, players can quickly scan their tickets with their phones to see if they are winners.
- The app streamlines participation in 2nd Chance Drawing promotions, allowing players to enter eligible non-winning tickets directly through the app.
- Users can view current jackpots and winning numbers, find nearby retailers and access detailed game information and odds for all scratch-off and draw games.
What he shared this morning
The latest on Lane Kiffin
Michael Cauble is the sports director at WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, and his post on X Sunday capped what was an interesting day when it came to waiting on a job decision by Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin.
It appeared the wait would not take much longer.
However, Kiffin denied the university pushed for a decision by next week’s game.
“That’s absolutely not true,” he told Pat McAfee on Monday. “There’s been no ultimatum, anything like that at all. I don’t know where that came from. I love it here. It couldn’t be better.”
Sunday’s reporting by The Athletic came as The Advocate and On3 reported members of Kiffin’s family made visits to Gainesville on Sunday and Baton Rouge on Monday since Florida and LSU want to hire the hottest coaching candidate this season.
Speculation about Kiffin’s future comes as Ole Miss tries to keep the coach who has led the Rebels to a 10-1 season and a likely appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Kiffin has been public about his love of the university and of Oxford in his six seasons there, but the public pursuit of his services puts him in an enviable position — being in such high demand that he can make high dollar demands and get most, if not all, met.
Three fan bases and the college football world will soon find out what the future holds.
Kickoffs and tipoffs
Star indicates games will be played in Kansas City, Mo., at the Hall of Fame Classic and will be streamed on Peacock along with the television broadcast on the new NBC Sports Network.
The two Tuesday games will be streaming only (SEC+ for men, ESPN+ for women).
Thursday’s MSU women’s game will be streaming only (ESPN+).
Do you know her?
Below is an appeal made by Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley concerning one of his cases:
The Monroe County Coroner’s Office is seeking any information regarding the relatives of Catherine Kemmerer, who died from natural causes on Friday, November 14, in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
Deceased: Catherine Kemmerer
Age: 69
Address: 211 East Madison Street in Aberdeen
Background: Ms. Kemmerer reportedly moved to Aberdeen a few years ago from Alamosa, Colorado.
The Coroner’s Office and the Aberdeen Police Department have exhausted current online resources and are now appealing to the public for help locating family members.
If you have any information that could assist in locating relatives, please contact the Monroe County Coroner’s Office at (662) 369-4557 or the Aberdeen Police Department.
Tishomingo County couple honored through highway naming
The state has renamed a section of Highway 25 south of Iuka to honor a couple who made a lasting impact on Tishomingo County.
The couple moved to Iuka in 1960 where they worked for years in health care — he as a physician, she as a dietician — but their lives eventually grew to include other endeavors. Kelly Segars helped found what became First American National Bank, serving as its president and chairman. Martha Segars served on its board and handled its marketing after retiring from the hospital in Iuka.
Their community involvement also included his efforts toward improving the local airport, which now bears his name, and her efforts on developing local tourism, such as helping to launch the Trash and Treasures along the Tenn-Tom yard sale.
The highway bearing their names starts at County Road 150 and heads north for one mile.
Final from the Tad Pad
Ole Miss men’s basketball remains undefeated with a victory Friday night in the final game at Tad Smith Coliseum. Mississippi State men’s basketball hopes to rebound from its loss to a Top 25 team on Monday with a weekend win over SLU.
Saturday’s focus, however, is on football with the Bulldogs seeking a sixth win in hopes of becoming bowl eligible while the Rebels will play a Florida team with fans who would like to make Lane Kiffin the Gators’ new coach.
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