"I looked like an anaconda that had swallowed a deer": Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin once talked about his weight struggles 

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has been able to transform many of the programs he has been at into winners. But this is not the only thing that Kiffin has transformed.

Between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Kiffin lost over 30 pounds in weight. In 2021, he spoke about his weight loss journey, saying:

"I saw a picture of me at the bowl game last year and told the players I looked like an anaconda that had swallowed a deer and the deer got stuck in his neck," Kiffin told ESPN in an interaction in 2021.

"Here, I am in the postseason meetings back in January telling my offensive linemen and other guys that they need to eat better, lose weight, and get in better shape."

For Kiffin, his decision to lose weight was also a lesson for his team in accountability. The Rebels staff and team held Kiffin accountable for his weight loss journey, in a similar way in which he would hold his players accountable for their weight.

The team would clearly notice the weight loss from Kiffin, and it did motivate a few of them. Then quarterback Matt Corral told ESPN at the time:

"We really saw his weight change. He dropped a lot of weight since January, and as players and seeing him go through that process, it just makes us more disciplined and helps us buy into the values and principles of the organization."

In the end, there was a change made on the field for Ole Miss after Kiffin lost the weight. In 2020, the Rebels had a 6-5 record, with a losing 4-5 record against SEC teams. In 2021, the Rebels went 10-3 for the season and had a winning 6-2 record against the SEC.

Lane Kiffin talks about the pressure he and the Rebels are under in 2024

After a successful 2023 season, where the Ole Miss Rebels went 11-2, the expectations are high for Lane Kiffin's team. These expectations were raised this week, as the preseason poll ranked the Rebels at No. 6.

It put them in prime contention for a place in the College Football Playoffs and potentially a shot at the SEC championship game.

This will put additional pressure of Kiffin, and he spoke to Sports Illustrated about it.

"I don't know that I necessarily feel that because I think I apply more pressure on myself than any outside source. You talk about last season, the two things that come to my mind are the two losses. I should have done a better job in those."

Kiffin has a very talented roster, led by quarterback Jaxson Dart, which proved itself to be able to win. Now, with even higher expectations, they need to be able to deliver and send the Ole Miss Rebels into the College Football Playoff.