Marty Smith may have residency in Oxford, Mississippi after covering the Lane Kiffin saga.
The ESPN reporter, who spent nearly all of Saturday and Sunday at the Ole Miss football facility, got a 3-minute interview with Kiffin before the former Rebels coach boarded a private jet set for Baton Rouge to take his next chapter as LSU football coach.
Kiffin reiterated his desire to coach Ole Miss in the upcoming College Football Playoff, but Mississippi athletic director Keith Carter decided against it and promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach in Kiffin's place.
“It was really difficult. This has been a really special place. Six years here," Kiffin told Smith. "I know there are a lot of feelings and emotions around right now. I hope when they settle down that there’s an appreciation about what we were able to do here and having the best run that’s ever been done in the history of the school. Brought some exciting times. I’m so appreciative of the people of Oxford and the relationships that I developed here… Just prayed a lot. Made a family decision and hopefully get a chance to go impact a whole new set of people.”
Kiffin told Smith he wasn't part of Sunday's meeting between Carter and the school's chancellor, at Carter's request.
