Lane Kiffin Accepts Head Coaching Position at LSU
After a few weeks of rumors and speculation, it seems Lane Kiffin has made a significant career move—though some might wonder if it’s exactly what he envisioned.
On Sunday, analyst Todd McShay shared insights about Kiffin’s decision to part ways with the sixth-ranked Rebels to take the head coach position at LSU. This comes just ahead of the College Football Playoff.
Kiffin made his announcement via a statement on social media, albeit a day later than he initially intended.
McShay speculated that Kiffin, who has been with Ole Miss since 2020, may have waited to make the news public to see how Alabama fared in their rivalry game against Auburn, as a loss could have triggered a coaching change there.
He mentioned on the “Bill Simmons Podcast,” “People close to the situation indicated to me that his move was essentially a done deal, but the official announcement would come post-Alabama game.”
McShay continued, noting Kiffin’s long-standing desire for the LSU role, stating, “I’ve known Lane for over two decades; we have a good relationship. From our conversations, it’s clear that he respects Nick Saban and values their connection, despite the challenges.” That respect might have driven him to see how Alabama performed.
But things shifted when Alabama secured a victory over Auburn, leading Ole Miss’s athletic director Keith Carter to prevent Kiffin from coaching the Rebels through the postseason.
The next day, Kiffin officially finalized his shift to Baton Rouge and signed a substantial contract—a seven-year deal worth $91 million. This contract ranks as the second-largest coaching agreement in college football.
Kiffin previously served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator for three years under Saban, contributing to a national championship win in 2015. His departure from USC was tumultuous, and he left Alabama to take a job at Florida Atlantic just a week before another national tournament.
Despite past experiences, Kiffin still had an allure for the position at Alabama, McShay remarked, especially considering Saban’s uncertain future. “I think there was always a small doubt in him. While he was ready to move on to LSU, part of him wondered, ‘What if Auburn manages to beat Alabama?’” McShay explained.
As Kiffin finds his footing at LSU, DeBoer is gearing up for the SEC Championship Game against Georgia.
At the same time, in Oxford, former Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding, now the head coach, is preparing for what could be the Rebels’ first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
