Report: Lane Kiffin Reportedly Sought Paul Finebaum’s Endorsement for Alabama Coaching Role

Mobile Pensacola, AL, September 17, 2026 —

Reports have emerged suggesting that Lane Kiffin, who previously held the position of head coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), reportedly reached out to ESPN personality Paul Finebaum. The reported purpose of this outreach was to seek an endorsement from Finebaum concerning the vacant coaching position at the University of Alabama.

The specifics of when this reported interaction took place, the exact nature of the conversation, or any response from Paul Finebaum have not been publicly detailed in the reports. Lane Kiffin is identified as the former Ole Miss coach, indicating his departure from that role prior to or around the time of this alleged request.

Paul Finebaum is a prominent radio host with ESPN, primarily known for his extensive coverage of college football, particularly in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) region. His opinions and commentary often carry significant weight among college football enthusiasts and analysts.

The coaching position at the University of Alabama is a high-profile role in collegiate athletics. The details surrounding Kiffin’s alleged pursuit of Finebaum’s endorsement remain limited, with the contractor’s name, specific dates, and outcomes not provided in the available information.

Story summarized from the original created by Mark Heim on www.al.com, see more information here.

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