Kiffin opens up on state of college football: 'The joy is not the same'

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin provided an honest assessment of the impact of the transfer portal and NIL on program building across college football.

The 48-year-old coach believes that the current state of the sport works against sustained success. Kiffin says once athletes enter the portal, they often look for the best fit as opposed to programs they truly care about.

"One, we don't have many kids that are dying to be here. They didn't grow up wanting to go to Ole Miss," Kiffin said in an interview on the SEC Network's "Marty and McGee" show.

"We're now moved toward that (NFL model) to where it is really business, and I would say the joy is not the same," he added.

Despite describing the current climate of college football as "plug and play," Kiffin did admit that the status quo in the sport is beneficial to the athletes.

"One good thing about it being broken is the players, and I've told them, it's a great time for them to capitalize on this," Kiffin said. The coach pointed out that athletes can capitalize on the current system in high school by using their one-time transfer, and as grad transfers.

Kiffin used the transfer portal to remake Ole Miss' roster after taking the job in 2020. Quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Spencer Sanders, and Walker Howard all joined the Rebels as transfers over the past two offseasons.

Ole Miss has posted a 23-13 record with Kiffin at the helm. They've made a bowl game in each of the past three seasons.