Coach Lane Kiffin helped Ole Miss return to prominence in the SEC West, and Saturday one of his players returned the favor. Rebels wide receiver John Rhys Plumlee tied Kiffin's light blue bowtie before the team's 27-14 win over Liberty.
The quarterback-turned-wideout Plumlee, who also plays for the Rebels' baseball team, shared video evidence before the game with the caption "Had to get @Lane_Kiffin right for the walk of Champions this morning!" Kiffin then quote tweeted Plumlee's post with the caption "Players can take coaches where they can't take themselves," adding he had "no clue" how to tie the bowtie.
Had to get @Lane_Kiffin right for the walk of Champions this morning! pic.twitter.com/NBJswWroNX
— John Rhys Plumlee (@PlumleeJohn) November 6, 2021
This is true. No clue how to tie this. Players can take coaches where they can’t take themselves. 😂 @OleMissFB https://t.co/igcp44s7yo
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 6, 2021
"Who says players can't help coaches," Kiffin said in the video.
Plumlee's gesture may have led to his breakout game. Kiffin shared a photo of him and Plumlee on the field pregame, tagging offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby with the caption "Can you please play him today." Plumlee proceeded to catch seven passes for 110 yards, both career-high marks.
Can you please play him today @Coach_Leb Let’s rock the Vaught!!! @OleMissFB @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/J2RRITDogo
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) November 6, 2021
Fit check. pic.twitter.com/1oQ5R5gjT5
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 6, 2021
Ole Miss is 7-2 with three games remaining. The Rebels last won seven-plus games in 2015, when it went 10-3 under -- coincidentally -- current Liberty coach Hugh Freeze.
The Rebels, No. 16 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, will host Texas A&M next Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. That gives Plumlee plenty of time to get Kiffin's fit right again.
