Lane Kiffin Departs Ole Miss for LSU Coaching Role Amid Playoff Contention
Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss for LSU's head coaching position, accepting a lucrative contract. His departure occurs as Ole Miss was a strong CFP contender.
LSU lures Lane Kiffin away from virtual playoff lock Ole Miss
Associated Press
Overview
- Lane Kiffin has officially left his head coaching position at Ole Miss to take on the same role at LSU, marking a significant shakeup in college football coaching.
- LSU secured Kiffin with a substantial seven-year contract, reportedly worth over $90 million, averaging around $13 million annually, reflecting the high value placed on his coaching.
- Kiffin expressed a desire to coach Ole Miss through their College Football Playoff run, but his request was denied by the university as he finalized his move to LSU.
- Under Kiffin's leadership, Ole Miss achieved a 55-19 record, a top-10 finish in 2023, and consistent bowl appearances with three wins, marking their best season in decades.
- Following Kiffin's departure, Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach, who is now set to lead the team in their upcoming College Football Playoff appearance.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Kiffin's move to LSU as a logical career progression to a more prestigious program. They emphasize LSU's superior brand, historical success, and extensive resources as key motivators beyond just salary. The narrative highlights LSU's allure, positioning it as a clear upgrade despite Kiffin leaving a playoff-bound Ole Miss team, and includes details of his past coaching challenges.
"Kiffin has said he adopted the mantra of striving to “do things better than they’ve ever been done before” from one of his mentors, Pete Carroll, under whom Kiffin served as an assistant at USC from 2001 to 2006."
Chicago Tribune"Kiffin immediately became the most heavily rumored name to take over, despite the Rebels being in the midst of a playoff run."
NBC News"Kiffin has overseen one of the most successful stints in Ole Miss history, arguably exceeded by only Johnny Vaught, whose 25 seasons at Ole Miss included a six-year period from 1957 through 1962 during which his teams went a combined 57-6."
Associated Press"Kiffin is leaving Ole Miss football to be the LSU coach."
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FAQ
Lane Kiffin's contract with LSU is a 7-year deal worth $90 million, averaging about $13 million per year in salary, plus incentives and a buyout structure. Additionally, LSU is guaranteeing Kiffin $25 million annually in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals on top of the salary.
LSU's $25 million annual NIL guarantee is unprecedented and positions the program at the forefront of the new NIL era, allowing them to attract top coaching talent and set a new standard for how schools can leverage NIL to compete nationally.
Ole Miss denied Kiffin's request to coach through their College Football Playoff run and promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach, who will lead the team in their upcoming playoff appearance.
Kiffin's contract and the NIL guarantee are expected to significantly boost LSU's ability to recruit top talent and build a competitive staff, as the financial package sets LSU apart in the current college football landscape.
Kiffin's $90 million contract over seven years is among the highest in college football, rivaling or exceeding deals for coaches like Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, especially when factoring in the additional $25 million annual NIL guarantee.
History
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