In many ways, Lane Kiffin's path to Sunday's seismic decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU began on an airport tarmac in the early morning hours of Sept. 29, 2013. That's when he lost the chance to lead a program defined by three letters synonymous with gridiron greatness.

More than 12 years after that humbling and iconic flameout at USC , Kiffin's climb back into college football's ruling class is complete. What makes his jump to LSU so stunning is that he was on the verge of taking Ole Miss up the same mountain programs like USC and LSU inhabit.

Instead of continuing that ascent with the playoff-bound Rebels, who are in prime position to host a College Football Playoff game, he's cashing out in Mississippi and hoping to accelerate his chase for a national title by walking

See Full Page