Ole Miss had FBI sweep for bugs after Lane Kiffin's exit for LSU - ESPN

The executive director of Ole Miss' NIL collective said FBI agents searched the Rebels' football office for recording devices after former coach Lane Kiffin left for SEC rival LSU following the 2025 regular season.

Walker Jones, who co-founded the Grove Collective, told the «Assorted Crackers» podcast that FBI officials searched for bugs in the football offices at the Manning Center once Kiffin bolted for LSU after guiding the Rebels to an 11-1 record in the regular season and their first CFP berth.

«We actually had the FBI come through and walk the building for bugs and for everything,» Jones told the podcast. «We knew kind of what was in Baton Rouge, and we knew how they operated. I remember getting on my knees and looking underneath the desk, like checking for, 'Is there some sort of bug in my office?'»

When asked why he was looking under his desk, said Jones: «Trust me, you don't know this guy [Kiffin] like I do.»

The Rebels promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach on the same day that Kiffin left.

Kiffin ended up taking several Ole Miss assistants with him to LSU, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Joe Cox, receivers coach George McDonald, running backs coach Kevin Smith and general manager Billy Glasscock.

Kiffin allowed Weis, McDonald, Cox, assistant receivers coach Dane Stevens and slot receivers coach Sawyer Jordan to return to Ole Miss to coach in the CFP.

After defeating Tulane 41-10 in a CFP first-round game at home, the Rebels upset No. 3 Georgia in a quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Ole Miss fell to Miami 31-27 in a CFP semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

Jones said he had to work hard to keep the Tigers from poaching some of