It was July 2024 when Lane Kiffin and the entire Ole Miss family were hit by the tragic news of legendary college football coach and Lane’s father Monte Kiffin passing away. Monte, a superhero for his son, left a huge impact on the Ole Miss and Kiffin family. Lane even called him a ‘superhero.’ Inspired by his father, Ole Miss HC went on to fulfill his father’s wish following his death by defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in November 2024. “I remember him saying after the game, ‘We’ll get this thing turned around. You’re going to beat Georgia next year,’ “ Kiffin said. Kiffin recalled. Though the Rebels didn’t claim a title last season, breaking an eight-year losing streak against Georgia was a moment worth celebrating—especially for Lane, who kept his father’s promise alive. But now, just eight months after losing Monte, both the Ole Miss and Kiffin families have been struck by yet another devastating loss.

Something hit different in Oxford this week. The kind of news that makes the whole town pause, and the air feels a little heavier—a ‘laughter silenced’ kind of loss. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and his daughter, Landry Kiffin, are facing a gut-wrenching heartbreak, a reality deeply felt by the mourning Rebel family. It was about something far bigger—something that pushed wins, losses, and touchdowns to the back burner for a moment. A name echoed through the Ole Miss community, not for a game-winning play, but for a life gone too soon: Wyatt Thistle.

On March 14th, Lane Kiffin took it to IG stories and  reposted a tribute post from ‘Ole Miss Phi Delt’ with nothing but a simple “🙏🏻.” Landry Kiffin followed suit, adding her own words: “Rest in peace Wyatt ❤.” Just those few words, but man, they carried weight. The Rebel community wasn’t just mourning a student; they were mourning a brother, a friend, and a spirit that had left its mark in a way stats never could. At 20, Wyatt James Thistle’s story ended. His life took a tragic turn with a devastating car accident in Cabo. And just like that, the Ole Miss family felt a little smaller.

CJ Valenciano, who refers to Wyatt as his childhood best friend, says the two were inseparable. ” We even made a secret language so that we could always be on the same wavelength. The last time I saw Wyatt was by chance at of all places Kyle Field at the tu game. Out of all places, I spotted him out of a crowd of nearly 110,000 people. When looking back at that moment, I am confident God put both of us there to say goodbye to each other. He was one of the purest souls I have ever encountered, and I know Heaven got a good one.,” Valenciano wrote.

Wyatt wasn’t the type to blend into the background. Have you ever met someone whose energy just makes the whole room brighter? That was him. He was Phi Delta Theta’s Rush Chairman for a reason. “His infectious and bubbly energy made him an easy choice to serve as Rush Chairman this year. He had goals, drive, and a positive spirit that touched countless lives. He will be remembered for the lasting impact he made,” the fraternity wrote on IG. He was the guy whose Seth Rogen-esque laugh, a genuine source of joy, filled every room, and though now silent, it echoes in memories.

His mom used to say it all the time: “The fabulous life of Wyatt Thistle.” And man, she was right. Wyatt wasn’t just some regular college kid. His life was an adventure. Born in Dallas in 2004, he bounced around the country before finding a home in Alamo Heights, Texas. Football, basketball—you name it, he played it. He rocked the Alamo Heights Mule jersey with pride, and when it was time to level up, Ole Miss was the move. He repped the Rebels like he was born for it, showing up to the Rebels games, and, honestly, maybe he was. The kid wasn’t just a student; he was a walking, talking embodiment of the school spirit.

The “Fabulous Life of Wyatt Thistle”

When Wyatt Thistle was not catching passes or shooting hoops, he was outliving the type of life most people only talk about. Thistle ran a half marathon—because why not? He took up pickleball because, well, why not? He loved the ranch life like an old-school cowboy and even bagged a trophy 11-point buck that scored 157 inches. That’s bragging rights for life. His ‘walking around money’ came from helping out his family on the ranch, though let’s be real—PopPop probably paid him just as much for being a good company as he did for Wyatt’s actual work.

And when he wasn’t getting his boots dirty, he was traveling the world. Virgin Islands, Europe, New Jersey (yes, that counts)—he was everywhere. One trip to Cabo turned tragic, but if you knew Wyatt, you knew he would’ve wanted to go out doing something epic, surrounded by his closest people. This one stings for the Ole Miss community. Losing someone like Wyatt isn’t just about saying goodbye to a friend, a brother, or a son—it’s about losing a presence. A vibe. A one-of-a-kind soul who left an imprint on everyone he met.

His family—his mother, Kate Strause (Jimmy Malone), father, David Thistle, and his extended family—are left picking up the pieces. The Phi Delt brotherhood, the Rebel family, even those who only met him once—they all feel it. Because when someone like Wyatt leaves this world, they take a little bit of its light with them.

Providing information for those wishing to pay their respects, Ole Miss Phi Delta released this announcement: “Visitation will be held Saturday, March 22 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Porter Loring Mortuary in San Antonio, Texas. Funeral service will be held the following day on Sunday, March 23 at 3:00 PM at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio.”

Wyatt Thistle may not be here physically, but his impact? That’s forever. Whether it was his unforgettable laugh, his fearless energy, or his love for life, he left his mark. So here’s to Wyatt—to the kid who lived life at full speed, who made people laugh even when they didn’t want to, who took every opportunity and ran with it. The Rebel family won’t forget you. And somehow, some way, we all know you’re up there, laughing that same contagious laugh, making heaven just a little louder.