'Coach Manning has a nice ring to it': Eli Manning responds to coaching rumors after Lane Kiffin's dramatic exit to LSU

Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to join LSU, and social media immediately started rumors that Eli Manning would replace him. The former New York Giants quarterback became the center of a fake news storm right after Kiffin made his exit official on Sunday.

Kiffin left Ole Miss after taking them to the College Football Playoff in 2025. Leaving a team after such success created huge speculation, and fans wanted a big-name replacement. And many of them thought they already got their new high-profile coach. 

According to Sportskeeda, the rumors started because of 274 Sports, a parody account on X. The account posted a fake claim that Ole Miss had a plan to make Manning the head coach. The post said the university would move quickly if Kiffin left for LSU. The fake news was convincing and spread fast.

Manning’s playful response added fuel to the fire

Eli Manning saw the fake post and played along with it. He shared it on X and said “Coach Manning” has a nice ring to it. His response showed he was having fun with the idea, even though he has no plans to become a coach.

The rumor worked because Manning has strong ties to Ole Miss. He played four years there before the New York Giants picked him first in the 2004 draft. At Ole Miss, he won the Maxwell Award and became SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. His history with the school made the fake news seem believable.

The rumor wasn’t true. Ole Miss quickly promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach after Kiffin left. The move brought stability to the program right when they needed it. Brian Kelly’s controversial LSU exit had already created drama at the school before Kiffin’s arrival.

While the Manning rumors spread online, Kiffin explained why he left for LSU. He said he talked to mentors Nick Saban and Pete Carroll about the decision. Carroll’s advice pushed him to take the job. Signs of Kiffin’s potential move to LSU had appeared earlier when his son wore LSU gear.

Kiffin said Carroll told him, “Your dad would tell you to go, man. Take the shot. Take the shot, you accomplished a lot [at Ole Miss].” That advice from a trusted mentor helped Kiffin make his final decision to start his new chapter at LSU.