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Lane Kiffin has revealed that Raiders head coach Pete Carroll urged him to leave Ole Miss and make the controversial move to join Louisiana State.
After weeks of uncertainty, it was confirmed on Sunday that Rebels head coach Kiffin had reached an agreement with the Tigers over a seven-year deal worth $90 million.
Kiffin's decision was met with heavy backlash from Ole Miss fans, who gathered at University-Oxford Airport and jeered him as he boarded a flight to Baton Rouge.
While Kiffin hurried to his plane, he stopped for an interview with ESPN, where he opened up on his decision-making process - and Carroll's role in it all.
Kiffin said: 'It was really hard. My heart was here, but I talked to some mentors, coach [Pete] Carroll and coach [Nick] Saban.
'Coach Carroll said, "Your dad would tell you to go man. Take the shot. You can accomplish a lot here."'
It was confirmed that Ole Miss head coach Kiffin had reached an agreement with LSU
Kiffin later revealed that Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll urged to take the job
Kiffin has maintained a close relationship with Raiders coach Carroll, who hired the Nebraska native as a tight ends coach at USC back in 2001.
Years later, Kiffin would go on to succeed Carroll at USC head coach after the latter left to join the Seattle Seahawks back in 2010.
Kiffin's father Monte, meanwhile, was regarded as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history, prior to his death in July last year aged 84.
He spent nearly 30 years as an NFL assistant coach, including 13 years as defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he won Super Bowl XXXVII.
He worked alongside son Lane during a number of his stints at college football level.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in his ESPN interview, Kiffin fired back at frustrated Ole Miss fans with a boastful message in the wake of their furious backlash.
On Sunday, Kiffin was seen leaving a chauffeured SUV and walking across the tarmac to the plane, as former supporters offered a chorus of boos and expletives.
In response, the new Louisiana State head coach said: 'I know that there's a lot of feelings and emotions right now around.
Carroll told Kiffin that his dad, Monte, 'would tell you to go man. Take the shot'.
Monte worked alongside son Lane during a number of his stints at college football level
'I hope when they settle down 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'.
He continued: 'I'm so appreciative to the people of Oxford and the relationships that I've developed here'.
Kiffin had been in the midst of his sixth season with the Rebels, guiding them to a 55-19 record during that time. Ole Miss also finished finished in the top 15 three times, and had double-digit wins in four of his seasons.
Kiffin had been an extremely coveted option by many in-need programs on the coaching carousel and the Tigers had made no secret of their desire to poach him.
Fans were left on tenterhooks over Saturday night, as Kiffin met with athletic director Keith Carter and chancellor Glenn Boyce at the latter's home to discuss his future.
Speaking on the discussions with Carter and Boyce, Kiffin added: 'This was a very challenging, difficult day.
'We went through a lot last night with Keith Carter trying to figure out a way to make this playoff run work and be able to coach the team, and at the end of the day that's his decision - and I totally respect that. I understand that decision.
'So I just totally wish the team the best of luck, wish that I was coaching them, but understand that it was a very challenging position for him and the chancellor to be in, and I totally respect that.
Kiffin (left) was seen leaving a chauffeured SUV and walking across the tarmac to his waiting plane as hundreds of his former supporters offered a chorus of boos and expletives
Several Ole Miss fans showed up to wish Lane Kiffin a difficult future at Louisiana State
'Just really hope they play really well and go win the national championship'.
Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss Jr. was spotted by fans boarding the same aircraft, presumably to join the Tigers alongside Kiffin.
‘You f***ing b*****d, Charlie,’ one irate fan yelled at the outgoing offensive coordinator, who is the son and namesake of the former Notre Dame head coach.
Kiffin officially confirmed his decision to leave Ole Miss for the Tigers early on Sunday, describing it as a 'difficult' one in an emotional statement on social media.
'After a lot of prayer and time spent with family, I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,' Kiffin said in the statement.
Kiffin also confirmed reports claiming that he had wanted to stay in Mississippi to see out his final season - something which the Ole Miss hierarchy denied him.
Kiffin insisted that, once the dust settles, fans will 'appreciate' what he did for the program
The 50-year-old confirmed his decision via a statement on social media on Sunday afternoon
'I was hoping to complete a historic six season run with this year's team by leading Ole Miss through the playoffs, capitalizing on the team's incredible success and their commitment to finish strong, and investing everything into a playoff run with guardrails in place to protect the program in any areas of concern,' he explained.
'My request to do so was denied by Keith Carter despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance.
'Unfortunately, that means Friday's Egg Bowl was my last game coaching the Rebels,' he continued, appearing to take a swipe at his former employers.
'While I am looking forward to a new start with a unique opportunity at LSU, I will forever cherish the incredible six years I spent at Ole Miss and will be rooting hard for the team to complete their mission and bring a championship to Oxford.'
