Lane Kiffin Officially Hired as LSU Head Coach in $91 Million Deal

Lane Kiffin has officially been named the new head football coach at LSU, ending weeks of speculation with a record-breaking contract that reshapes the SEC landscape just ahead of the College Football Playoff.

Contract Details LSU and Kiffin agreed to a seven-year contract worth approximately $91 million. The deal pays Kiffin an average annual salary of $13 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college sports.

The contract contains a unique clause regarding the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP). Even though Kiffin is no longer with Ole Miss, his LSU contract stipulates he will receive performance bonuses ranging from $150,000 to $1 million depending on how far Ole Miss advances in the playoffs. He will also receive up to $500,000 for relocation expenses.

Departure from Ole Miss The move comes with significant controversy regarding timing. Kiffin departs Ole Miss immediately, despite the Rebels securing a spot in the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff.

Kiffin publicly requested to coach Ole Miss through their playoff run before fully transitioning to LSU. However, Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter denied the request, stating that the program needed to move forward immediately. As a result, defensive coordinator Pete Golding has been promoted to interim head coach for the Rebels’ postseason campaign.

Introductory Press Conference At his introductory press conference on Monday, Dec. 1, Kiffin described LSU as “the best job in football.” He cited the influence of his late father, legendary defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, as a driving force behind his decision to take the role.

“I really tried to channel my dad,” Kiffin told reporters. “LSU is the best job in football. When you take the history, tradition, passion, and the great players in the state of Louisiana… this place is different.”

Immediate Fallout The transition has already sparked friction between the two programs. Reports indicate Kiffin is actively recruiting current Ole Miss staff members to join him in Baton Rouge.

Additionally, the move has drawn sharp criticism from media analysts. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum criticized Kiffin’s comments about “not caring about the money,” calling them disingenuous given the magnitude of the contract. Kiffin responded on social media Thursday morning, continuing a public spat with the commentator.

Kiffin replaces Brian Kelly, whom LSU parted ways with earlier this season. He becomes the first head coach in SEC history to lead three different conference programs (Tennessee, Ole Miss, and LSU).