Ole Miss football head coach Lane Kiffin told ESPN's Alex Scarborough that he "struggled" with criticism in response to his consideration of Auburn's open head coaching job.

"We screw up all the time," he said. "But when you think you're doing the right thing and then you're really criticized for it — especially by your own people — I struggled with that because I feel like I went through a decision-making process that you're supposed to go through.

"I mean, you got to decide. It's your life and your family's life."

Auburn was in the market for a head coach after firing Bryan Harsin on Oct. 31. Kiffin's name swirled in Auburn rumors, to the point where WCBI News Director Jon Sokoloff even tweeted on Nov. 21 that he was leaving. Kiffin denied the rumor one day later.