Lane Kiffin is now part of a new fandom! The Ole Miss Rebels head coach is enthusiastic about the upcoming season after achieving remarkable 10- and 11-win seasons.

However, he’s now ditching the rearview mirror and focusing on the future instead of relishing the past. But who’s inspiring Kiffin ahead of his big matches? 

It’s none other than country star Jelly Roll, a former-convict-turned-music-sensation whose story is about overcoming obstacles. Even a recently resurfaced speech from Jelly Roll resonated deeply with Kiffin. 

“Keep going!” Roll declared. “The windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason. Because what’s in front of you is more important than what’s behind you!” These words struck a chord with Kiffin. He reposted the speech of the 39-year-old Grammy nominee on his X handle, exclaiming, “I looooooove this!!!! #ComeToTheSip @JellyRoll615 Thank you for using your story to help sooo many. #ObstacleIsTheWay.”

This isn’t the first time Kiffin has shown support for Jelly Roll. Earlier this year, he reposted a video featuring Jelly Roll raising awareness about the risks of fentanyl in America, recounting his battle with addiction. Then, too, Kiffin praised Roll “for being so real and descriptive.”

While Kiffin often shares Roll’s words with his 679,000 followers on X, some can’t help but notice how the “Swiftie” is slowly becoming a part of “Bad Apples.” 

Is Lane Kiffin moving from Taylor Swift to Jelly Roll?

Lane Kiffin isn’t shy about his musical preferences. A self-proclaimed Taylor Swift fan, Kiffin openly admires her work. He even connected with a song from her latest album, My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys, because “it might be similar to my life’s path.” This isn’t the first time he’s shown his love for Swift. Years ago, he praised her re-recorded Red album; even memes surfaced of him picking up a copy.

However, Kiffin isn’t completely sold on everything Swift puts out. He wasn’t a huge fan of her latest, The Tortured Poets Department. He finds it “a little more sophisticated…I understand why people like it,” but it doesn’t fit his vibe. According to Kiffin, “it’s not as upbeat” as her older stuff, which he prefers. This might explain his recent shift toward country star Jelly Roll. Maybe Kiffin can be a fan of both! After all, why not appreciate two talented artists?