Breaking News:Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin has invested $2.5 million to transform a house into a shelter for homeless youths in Mississippi after..Full details
Breaking News: Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin Invests $2.5 Million to Transform a House into a Shelter for Homeless Youths in Mississippi
After a personal encounter reveals a hidden crisis, Kiffin takes action to spark statewide change.
In an unexpected but heartwarming twist to the college football world, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has made headlines—this time not for his coaching acumen, but for his compassion. On Monday morning, Kiffin announced a personal investment of $2.5 million to convert a large, vacant property in Oxford, Mississippi, into a shelter for homeless youths, following what he described as a “life-changing encounter” earlier this year.
The project, dubbed “Safe Haven Oxford,” will serve as a transitional shelter for youths between the ages of 14 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness, offering not just a place to sleep, but access to education, job training, counseling, and mentorship.
According to sources close to Kiffin, the idea took root in January after he met a teenage boy while visiting a local community outreach event hosted by a nearby church. The boy, a former high school football player, had been living out of a car after being kicked out of his home. The story hit Kiffin hard.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about him,” Kiffin told reporters in an emotional press conference. “Here’s a kid who should’ve been thinking about prom or football scholarships, and instead he was worried about where to sleep. That’s not something you just walk away from.”
Rather than just donate to an existing cause, Kiffin decided to take matters into his own hands. He quietly purchased an abandoned estate just outside the university town—a 10-bedroom property once owned by a wealthy alum but left vacant for nearly a decade. Working with architects, local nonprofits, and youth service organizations, he has spent the last few months overseeing renovations and planning services to turn the house into a fully functioning youth shelter.
The shelter, which is expected to open by fall 2025, will also include a recreation room, counseling offices, a small computer lab, and a community garden. Kiffin plans to use his network in the sports world to bring in motivational speakers, tutors, and even internships for residents.
The announcement has already drawn praise from across the country, with players, fellow coaches, and public officials commending Kiffin for using his platform and resources to tackle a growing issue in Mississippi. The state, according to recent statistics, has one of the highest youth homelessness rates in the southeastern U.S., with limited shelter options available outside major cities.
Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce released a statement shortly after the news broke, calling Kiffin’s initiative “a powerful example of servant leadership” and pledging the university’s support in any way possible.
“Coach Kiffin is showing what it means to lead with heart, on and off the field,” Boyce said.
Kiffin, however, downplayed the praise, saying he’s just doing what he wishes more people with influence would do.
“It’s easy to get wrapped up in wins and losses,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I want to know I did something that actually changed someone’s life.”
And with this bold move, Lane Kiffin may be doing just that—changing not only lives, but the culture of giving in college sports.