Kiffin Saga Nears Conclusion: LSU Poised to Announce Hiring
OXFORD, Miss. -- The whirlwind surrounding Lane Kiffin's coaching future appears to be reaching its climax. Sources have informed ESPN that LSU is poised to hire Kiffin away from Ole Miss as early as Sunday. While a source noted that the deal was not formally signed as of late Saturday, they also stated it "would be a shock" if the agreement wasn't finalized.
If Kiffin indeed accepts the position, LSU is prepared to offer him a lucrative contract, estimated at around $12 million per year for seven seasons, potentially supplemented by performance-based bonuses. This would position him among the highest-paid coaches in college football, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
The impending move comes on the heels of a highly successful regular season for Kiffin, 50, and the Ole Miss Rebels, who finished with an impressive 11-1 record. Their season culminated in a decisive 38-19 victory over arch-rival Mississippi State, all but guaranteeing them a place in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. However, the prevailing expectation among Ole Miss officials is that Kiffin will not lead the Rebels in the CFP, barring a significant change of heart.
Sunday Announcement Anticipated
According to ESPN's Marty Smith, sources indicate that Kiffin is scheduled to hold a meeting with Ole Miss players at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, followed by a public announcement regarding his future coaching plans.
Prior to this, Kiffin had stated his intention to decide on Saturday whether he would remain at Ole Miss or move to LSU in 2026. He engaged in discussions with Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter and chancellor Glenn Boyce for several hours at the chancellor's residence in Oxford. However, the day concluded without any official pronouncements.
SEC Championship Implications
There was growing speculation within Ole Miss on Saturday that Kiffin might consider coaching the Rebels in at least one more game if they secured a berth in the SEC championship game in Atlanta the following week.
However, No. 10 Alabama's 27-20 victory over rival Auburn in Saturday night's Iron Bowl dashed those hopes, eliminating Ole Miss from contention. The Crimson Tide will now face No. 4 Georgia for the SEC title.
Ole Miss Stance on Kiffin Coaching in CFP
While both Florida and LSU had expressed interest in Kiffin, Carter and Boyce maintained a firm stance that Kiffin would not be permitted to coach the Rebels in the CFP if he accepted a position with another SEC rival. Kiffin reportedly lobbied the Ole Miss administration to reconsider, but Carter and Boyce remained resolute on this issue.
Even with Kiffin's likely departure, the Rebels are expected to remain in contention to host a first-round CFP game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on December 19 or 20.
