Coaches don't always get along with the press. From awkward interviews to straightforward callouts, there've been many instances where media personalities have caught the ire of playbook masterminds. On Thursday, Paul Finebaum found himself in such a situation, courtesy of Ole Miss football head coach Lane Kiffin.

Back in 2013, Kiffin was fired from USC, and he believes that public comments made by Finebaum played a role in the whole thing. Fast forward 11 years later and the Ole Miss coach decided to bring up the topic during SEC Media Days.

“…Because it is a true story that the athletic director and the president were on that trip,” Kiffin said, during a discussion with Finebaum. “We were playing that night, and you (Finebaum) were on College GameDay and you had to make your big splash, and they were watching it because I know the other person in the room that was watching it with them. And you said what a joke I was and I’m the Miley Cyrus of college football coaching and I should be fired. And they looked at each other and later that night, I was fired.”

“But hey, look what happened. I would never have gotten to work for coach (Nick) Saban, all these other things wouldn't have happened so I appreciate you for helping in getting me fired,” Kiffin added.

Things take an awkward turn

While the Ole Miss coach might have ended that part on a positive note, things took a quick 180 just moments after. Finebaum responded with comments that seemed to acknowledge his prediction errors, noting how Kiffin now coaches a playoff-contending team while touching on the revival of Miley Cyrus' career. That's when Kiffin decided to voice out sentiments that highlighted the entire segment.

“So you were wrong on that,” Kiffin replied. “…Really, I don't know what you're good at. You predicted Coach Saban was done — that didn't happen. You basically said Miley Cyrus stinks and she's still going.”

Oof, that's got to sting. While a moment such as this comes with the territory of being a big sports media name, it's never an easy experience for anyone. Kiffin's comments are currently trending throughout social media, so it might take a while before Fineabun lives this one down.

More on Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss football

Just five games into his fourth season with USC, Lane Kiffin was let go by the school after a 7-6 record the year before. He spent time as an offensive coordinator under Nick Saban before taking on the reins of Florida Atlantic Football in 2017. Following a relatively successful 2019 campaign with the Owls, Kiffin then took his talents to Ole Miss — a program that he's now coached for four years.

In 2023, the Rebels finished with an 11-2 overall record (6-2 in-conference), with their only losses stemming at the hands of SEC championship finalists Alabama and Georgia. They ended their year on a high note, taking down Penn State in the Peach Bowl.

Amid their preparations for the upcoming season, Ole Miss will have returning players such as quarterback Jaxon Dart and wideout Tre Harris. Dart threw for 3,364 yards last season while Harris led the entire roster in receiving yards (985). Furthermore, big transfer portal names such as Walter Nolen and Prince Ummanmielen are entering the frame to fortify the defensive line.

Running back Quinshon Judkins may have opted to transfer elsewhere, but the Rebels were able to snag the services of former LSU standout Logan Diggs. Additionally, Ulysses Bentley IV — who played backup behind Judkins — is expected to take on a bigger role this year.

All in all, Lane Kiffin's squad still looks formidable, and fans won't have to wait too long to see the team in action once more.