LSU Prepares for Texas Bowl Without Lane Kiffin on the Sideline
Bowl season is in full swing, and for LSU, it’s a chance to close out an up-and-down year with a statement. The Tigers, who wrapped up the regular season at 7-5, will square off against Houston in the Texas Bowl on Dec.
- But while the game marks an opportunity for the program to build some momentum heading into 2026, one name notably won’t be on the sideline: Lane Kiffin.
Yes, LSU’s new head coach is officially on board - and his arrival in Baton Rouge has already made waves - but he won’t be coaching in the bowl game. That responsibility falls to interim head coach Frank Wilson, a longtime Tigers assistant and Louisiana native who stepped in following the midseason dismissal of Brian Kelly.
Frank Wilson’s Final Game at LSU
Wilson’s ties to LSU run deep. He was part of Les Miles’ staff from 2010 to 2015, returned under Brian Kelly in 2022, and has been a steadying presence during a turbulent stretch. Since taking over as interim head coach on October 26, Wilson has led LSU to a 2-2 finish, including wins over Arkansas and Western Kentucky.
This Texas Bowl will be his final game on the LSU sideline - but not because he’s stepping away from coaching. In a twist of irony, Wilson is expected to join the staff at Ole Miss, the very program Kiffin just left to take the LSU job.
While Wilson hasn’t made the move official, reports indicate he’ll be joining new Rebels head coach Pete Golding after the bowl game. The two previously worked together at UTSA in 2017, and the connection appears to be rekindled.
For now, Wilson is focused on finishing strong with the Tigers.
“We just want to finish what we started,” Wilson said ahead of the game. “With this football team, with the team of 2025. Give them our undivided attention before transition happens.”
It’s a fitting send-off for a coach who’s poured years into the program - and a chance for LSU to rally one more time under his leadership.
Kiffin’s Status for the Game
As for Kiffin, he won’t be on the headset for this one. While he reportedly expressed interest in coaching his former Ole Miss squad during their College Football Playoff run, that request was denied by the school. There’s been no confirmation on whether he’ll even attend LSU’s bowl game in Houston, though the logistics wouldn’t be difficult - Baton Rouge is just a short flight from NRG Stadium.
Still, this game is all about the current staff and players finishing what they started. Kiffin’s era officially begins after the final whistle.
A Look at the Matchup
LSU enters the Texas Bowl as a slight 3-point underdog against a Houston team that finished 9-3. The game will be played at NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans - a venue that could tilt the crowd in the Cougars’ favor, given the proximity.
For LSU, it’s a chance to show resilience and close out a challenging year on a high note. For Houston, it’s an opportunity to cap a strong season with a signature win over a big-name SEC program.
Kiffin’s Contract Details
While he won’t be coaching this game, Kiffin’s presence looms large over the program’s future. Last month, he inked a seven-year deal with LSU worth approximately $13 million per year - a contract that totals close to $91 million. And with performance incentives and bonuses built in, the final number could climb even higher.
It’s a massive investment, and one that signals LSU’s intent to return to national prominence under Kiffin’s leadership. But before that new chapter begins, the Tigers have one more game to play - and one more chance to show who they are.
Frank Wilson will lead them into battle one last time. After that, the Lane Kiffin era officially begins.