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Let’s Talk Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin, DeSanto Rollins & Mental Health

Jamal T. Jackson, LCSW

11/12/23

In recent days the Ole Miss Football Program, led by Lane Kiffin has been in the news concerning one of his players, Defensive Tackle DeSanto Rollins.  In a leaked audio conversation, Kiffin can be heard cursing at Rollins, mentioning Rollins not showing up for weeks when Kiffin messaged him.  In response Rollins stated “I don’t know why you have to be so disrespectful honestly.”  Kiffin responded by saying “Get out of here….“Go read your f******g rights about mental health, we can kick you off the team.”  

First and foremost, there is definitely more that was shared in the leaked audio.  Please reference it below if you would like to hear more.  Secondly, listening to the audio only provides a small piece of this story.  However, what I would like to put at the forefront of all of this is Mental Health.

According to reports, the entire Ole Miss football coaching staff is Mental Health First Aid Certified.  Many articles indicate that Mental Health First Aid Training’s goals are…

  • To create a culture where players feel just as comfortable treating a mental ailment as a physical one.
  • For coaches, although not mental health experts, to identify mental health issues and implement an action plan where the athlete or staff member gets the help they need. 

This is great in my opinion for a couple of reasons.  Becoming more knowledgeable about Mental Health can support breaking the stigma associated with mental health by creating positive experiences for coaches who may need to utilize their knowledge to support their student athletes.  As well as by encouraging student athletes to speak up and access mental health.  

With Kiffin’s track record of winning in multiple college football programs, first aid mental health certification and whatever other components of building young men he brings to the table, one might hypothesize that he has the coaching toolbox for his student athletes to become well rounded and whole.    

After doing some research on DeSanto Rollins I am glad to see that he is the definition of a true student athlete.  From Baton Rouge Louisiana, Rollins was a three star recruit, majoring in general business and holds many academic accolades including….

  • SEC Honor Roll (2021, 2022)
  • Chancellor’s Honor Roll (Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
  • Dean’s Honor Roll (Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
  • Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
  • SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll (2020-21)

Currently, he has filed a $40 million lawsuit against Kiffin and Ole Miss with allegations of racial discrimination, discrimination on the basis of disability, sexual discrimination, intentional affliction of emotional distress and negligence and gross negligence.  The details of each allegation are outlined in the article Lane Kiffin lawsuit: Heated audio from Ole Miss coach’s meeting with DeSanto Rollins.  

As mentioned earlier in my blog, Mental Health is at the forefront.  Let me first mention that Rollin’s allegations can contribute to mental health challenges for anyone. Secondly, the above article mentions Rollins’ report of multiple injuries, being forced to play injured, the death of his grandmother, and experiencing white student athletes returning to teams after taking a mental health breaks is rather concerning to me.  Again, these are allegations and we do not have the entire story.  We cannot point fingers, but the truth of the matter is that it seems that this student athlete did not get the support he needed.  

My hope in the end is that DeSanto Rollins can receive the necessary help to heal mentally and physically, graduate with at least his Bachelor’s Degree, and live a happy and fulfilling life.

In my own experience as a clinician, growing capacity for mental health occurs over time, experiences and dedication to training.  Reports indicated that the mental health first aid training took eight hours to complete with a follow up two hour assignment.  So, I wonder what follow up mental health training looked like afterwards.

Lastly, how Kiffin communicated with Rollins in the leaked audio is not a good look.  I do not expect him to have the same level of understanding as myself and other clinicians.  Nor do I expect him to always know how to navigate mental health conversations with his student athletes.  I do hope that he wants and continues to be a lifelong learner of mental health and collaborator with the mental health field.  

Because it’s needed!

References

Lane Kiffin lawsuit: Heated audio from Ole Miss coach’s meeting with DeSanto Rollins.

Retrieved November 12, 2023. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2023/11/09/lane-kiffin-lawsuit-desanto-rollins-ole-miss-leaked-audio/71519651007/

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss lead the way in prioritizing Mental Health within football program. Retrieved November 12, 2023. http://athlonsports.com/college-football/lane-kiffin-ole-miss-football-implemented-mental-health-training-for-players-and-staff-this-offseason

Ole Miss Sports. Retrieved November 12, 2023. https://olemisssports.com/sports/football/roster/desanto–rollins/4527