Six months ago, the LSU Tigers looked poised to be a shoo-in to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff. Led by head coach Brian Kelly and Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the vibes emanating out of Baton Rouge suggested nothing but success. The Tigers rushed out to a 4-0 record, including wins over then-No. 4 Clemson (17-10) and Florida (20-10) before losing three of their next four games.
The losses were too much for the Tiger faithful, and athletic director Scott Woodward fired Kelly. Within days, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry got involved and fired Woodward. Associate head coach and running backs coach Frank Wilson was named interim head coach, Verge Ausberry became AD, and Nussmeier — who looked hurt for much of the season and was later revealed to have an abdominal injury — was replaced by Michael Van Buren Jr.
LSU football appeared to be in complete disarray as questions over Kelly’s contractual buy-out emerged and the team limped to what would be a 7-5 record (3-5 in the SEC).
National media questioned what was going on at LSU and whether gubernatorial involvement would allow the Tigers to lure a top-level head coach to Baton Rouge. But with weeks left in the 2025 season, whispers soon rose from the bayou — LSU was locked in on hiring Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
The whispers turned into a roar as speculation grew, and a soap opera erupted.
In six seasons with the Rebels, Kiffin led the team to 55-19 record — making him the third-winningest head coach in program history — and had the team positioned to make a run in the College Football Playoff. For weeks, Rebel fans agonized over the prospect of losing their coach, who in a mid-season documentary declared that “he needed Oxford more than Oxford needed him,” to their archrival.
Then, on the Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving, Kiffin boarded a jet bound for Baton Rouge, where he would be named LSU’s head football coach.
The breakup wasn’t smooth. Although he made up his mind to leave, Kiffin wanted to lead the Rebels through the playoffs. Ole Miss AD Keith Carter, unwilling to take attention away from his team while also giving Kiffin and LSU a weeks-long opportunity to promote the Tiger football program, denied his request. Kiffin became LSU’s 34th head coach when he signed a seven-year, $91 million deal, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport.
So, what are the Tigers getting? Two things.
LSU is getting a coach that will bring a lot of fun to Tiger Town. He runs a prolific offense that zips up and down the field. Kiffin is also a maestro on social media. He like to win and he likes to talk. He’s seemingly a tailored fit for LSU.
LSU is also getting a coach that brings a lot of drama, most of it self-inflicted. Expect him to make head-scratching decisions that will negatively affect games. While very confident, he doesn’t seem to ask himself what if his brilliant gimmick doesn’t work.
Kiffin will bring results, but he’ll also bring a wandering eye. He just left an 11-1 playoff bound team because he feels he can win a national championship at LSU. That’s exactly what Kelly said when he left Notre Dame for Baton Rouge. But Kiffin has a track record. He left Tennessee after one season to go to USC, where he was fired. He was also fired as Alabama’s offensive coordinator a week before a national championship game because he eyed the head coach position at Florida Atlantic, which he left after three seasons to go to Oxford.
Any time a high-profile job in college or the NFL becomes available, Kiffin’s name will be linked to it. Rival coaches will use that with potential transfers and recruits.
Kiffin will also be under a ton of pressure to live up to expectations in Baton Rouge, more than what he’s ever experienced before. Nick Saban, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron all won a national championship at LSU. He’ll have to not just join but eclipse them.
This much is certain; Kiffin and LSU football will draw attention in 2026. Road games in Oxford and Knoxville will be must-see-TV. It remains to be seen, however, whether Tiger fans will be watching the reinvigoration of their team or witnessing a train wreck in slow motion.
Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football.
