Paul Finebaum Critiques Major College Football Coaches Amid SEC Season Shifts

Paul Finebaum has praised Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin for building a formidable home record and turning the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium into one of the toughest venues in the SEC, highlighting the Rebels' recent rise in rankings. Finebaum also commented on Alabama's resurgence under coach Kalen DeBoer, emphasizing DeBoer's resilience despite past struggles. Conversely, Finebaum offered a stern assessment of former Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, predicting he will not be hired again as a head coach following his firing and the subsequent decommitment of a top recruit. Additionally, Finebaum criticized Penn State coach James Franklin for his poor record against highly ranked teams, questioning Franklin's status as an elite coach due to repeated failures in big games. Separately, Finebaum revealed his consideration of leaving ESPN to run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican, citing personal and political motivations while acknowledging the significant role he plays at ESPN and the SEC Network.