Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin tests positive for COVID-19, will not travel for Monday's game

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin announced Saturday morning he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be accompanying his team on the trip to Atlanta for Monday's season opener against Louisville.

"I am disappointed to confirm that I have developed a breakthrough case of COVID and will not accompany our team to Atlanta," Kiffin said in a statement. "I am grateful to be vaccinated and experiencing only mild symptoms. So much so, I debated over being tested; but I'm relieved that I did. I'm proud of our program's commitment to vaccination and as a result there are currently no other cases to report or team members expected to miss the game. We will continue to monitor our team closely and take responsible measures if any symptoms arise."

Ole Miss reached a 100% vaccination at the start of August. Kiffin spoke glowingly about his team's commitment to vaccination. As a result of the Rebels' high vaccination rate, players and coaches do not have to be tested regularly or if they come in close contact.

Ole Miss football plays its first game of the 2021 season on Monday at 8 p.m. ET against Louisville. The Rebels have not named an interim head coach.

Contact Nick Suss at 601-408-2674 or nsuss@gannett.com. Follow @nicksuss on Twitter.