-At this time, we're joined
by Ole Miss head coach, Lane Kiffin.
Coach, we'd like to ask you to start off
with a brief opening statement
and then we'll move along to questions.
Members of the media, I'd like to remind you
to virtually raise your hands
and then we'll call on you after Coach is finished.
Coach, you can go ahead whenever you're ready.
-Well, we're honored and blessed to be here.
Obviously, great tradition in the Sugar Bowl
and for us to be back here a second time,
I think, in 40 years speaks a lot to our players
and our assistant coaches.
We have a great match-up with Coach Aranda
and extremely well-coached team that plays very physical,
does not make many mistakes.
So it's gonna be a very big challenge for us
and we're very honored to be here.
-We'll start off with the first question from Parrish Alford,
"Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal."
-Hey, Lane, Coach Aranda
was talking about the importance of relationships,
building those in terms of helping prevent opt-outs,
maybe building chemistry.
You've talked a lot about the chemistry on this team.
Are there other things you think that can be done
that would encourage players to hang around
and really play this last game?
I mean, you guys haven't struggled with that, it appears,
but a lot of other bowl games have.
-Well, I think a lot of that has to do with the culture
and the players that you have, too.
I think when your quarterback will be the most obvious
opt-out, you know, never even thinks about it
and the players know that
and he has played through injuries
when he could have not played in games.
I think, you know, starts at the top.
So I think our culture's come a long ways.
You look a year ago, we had a few opt-outs,
so I think things have changed.
-Now go to Jon Sokoloff with WCBI.
-What's up, Lane?
Just two years ago, 2019, this team won 4 games.
And now, I mean, they're playing in the Sugar Bowl.
I know you weren't here for that in 2019,
but a lot of players were on that team.
And to see kind of that rise
and them all being part of that journey together,
based on your head-coaching experience,
do you think that -- I don't know --
kind of going through a leap like that,
do you think that kind of helps add to the culture
and the fact that guys have been through a time like that?
How much does that kind of help cohesion?
-I think a lot.
You know, our last job at FAU, they had won 3 games
and then won 11 games our first year.
So, we were able to see that and excitement,
and they'd only won three games for three years in a row.
So, you know, it's exciting to be part of
as opposed to just being on the top,
staying on the top is working your way up to the top.
And I think our players have a better appreciation
for being here because of that.
-Thank you. -Yup.
-We'll move to Eric Kelly, KWKT in Waco.
-Coach, just when you -- when you look
at Coach Aranda's Baylor team,
what are those qualities that are the first
that kind of stand out about them just on tape?
-I think how physical they play, disciplined.
You know, they're so well coached.
You just don't see many big plays against them or screw-ups.
Yeah, which makes it -- makes it hard to beat.
You know, he basically has created a team
like his defense always have been --
you know, limit big plays,
very smart, disciplined defense.
Now he has a whole team of it.
-Moving along. Nick Suss with "The Clarion-Ledger."
-Lane, you talked earlier in the week about COVID
and all the precautions.
Just following up,
how do you think the team has handled the trip
to New Orleans so far and are you guys
in the same position you were three or four days ago?
-I think they've done well.
As you guys know,
we came down here as late as we could to help that,
so it's not been ideal for them from an, you know, fun week.
But it is what it is, and I think we're, you know,
blessed to be in a big-time bowl.
So, you know, they can understand the importance
of, you know, staying locked down for the most part
and being COVID safe,
you know, over going and having fun.
-Do we have any follow-up questions for Coach Kiffin?
-Alright, guys, thanks.
-Let's move to -- Coach, we have one more.
-Oh, sure. -Let's move to Neal --
Sorry about that.
Neal McCready, rebelgrove.com.
-Hey, Lane, I was just kind of wondering if you could comment
on the reports
about Charlie Weis Jr. joining your staff
and then follow up on that.
Do you expect more coaching-staff movement
on your staff after the game?
-I think that's always the case.
You know, when you do well, you know,
you, a lot of times, lose coaches.
That's part of it.
You know, you don't lose many when you're not doing well.
So, you know, with winning, a few problems come,
and that's one of them.
We lost a few last year,
and so we're excited to bring Charlie Weis aboard.
Charlie's been with us before at Alabama, at FAU,
and so very familiar with how we do things.
-Thank you, Coach, we appreciate your time.
-Alright, guys, have a good weekend.