Did Nick Saban Just Endorse LSU Over Alabama? Lane Kiffin Thinks So
In a twist that’s raised more than a few eyebrows around the SEC, Lane Kiffin reportedly made his decision to take the LSU job over staying at Ole Miss after a surprising conversation with none other than Nick Saban. According to multiple sources, Saban told Kiffin that the LSU job is better than Alabama’s - yes, the same Alabama program where Saban built a dynasty and became a living legend.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just idle barbershop talk. Saban still has an office in Tuscaloosa.
He still wears Crimson on College GameDay. His statue stands proudly outside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
And yet, he apparently gave a nod of approval to Baton Rouge as the more desirable gig. That’s a seismic statement in SEC country, especially coming from the man who won six national titles with the Tide after previously coaching LSU to a championship of his own.
Saban’s Subtle Role in a Wild Coaching Carousel
Saban’s fingerprints were all over the recent coaching drama, even if he tried to play it cool on national television. During a recent College GameDay segment, Saban deflected blame away from Kiffin amid the chaotic hiring cycle involving LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida. He framed it as a broader issue with the college football landscape, not a Kiffin problem.
That didn’t exactly land well.
Critics - including some within the media - saw it as Saban running interference for Kiffin, who was being criticized for attempting to coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff while negotiating his move to LSU. It didn’t help that Saban’s longtime agent, Jimmy Sexton, also represents Kiffin and several other key figures involved in this saga.
The optics? Messy, to say the least.
Is Saban Playing Chess While Everyone Else Plays Checkers?
There’s another layer here worth unpacking. Saban’s comment about LSU being the better job could be more than just a casual opinion - it might be strategic.
No one knows Lane Kiffin better than Nick Saban. Their time together at Alabama was productive but turbulent.
Let’s not forget, Saban dismissed Kiffin before the 2016 national title game, citing concerns about his preparation and focus - concerns that were amplified by Kiffin already having one foot out the door for the FAU job.
So when Kiffin tried to pull a similar move this year - attempting to coach Ole Miss in the CFP while finalizing his deal with LSU - it’s possible that Saban’s past precedent played a role in that being shut down. And maybe, just maybe, Saban sees LSU as a better landing spot for Kiffin because it keeps him out of Tuscaloosa.
The Fallout in Tuscaloosa
Naturally, Alabama fans are feeling some type of way. Some had hoped Kiffin might be the answer if Kalen DeBoer doesn’t pan out long-term. Now, with Saban seemingly endorsing LSU and Kiffin heading there, it feels like a door has been closed - or at least heavily bolted.
To be fair, Saban’s legacy in Alabama is cemented. Nothing about this situation changes the fact that he’s one of the greatest to ever do it. But this particular move - advising Kiffin to take the job at a direct SEC rival - hits close to home for fans who expected Saban’s loyalty to remain unwavering, even in retirement.
Whether this was a calculated move to keep Kiffin away from Alabama or simply a mentor giving advice to a former protégé, the ripple effects are real. In the always-dramatic world of SEC football, this one’s going to sting for a while in Tuscaloosa - especially if Kiffin starts winning big in Baton Rouge.
One thing’s for sure: the next time LSU and Alabama face off, the stakes won’t just be about standings. They’ll be personal.