Lane Kiffin's coaching journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, taking him from the NFL's Oakland Raiders to mid-major rebuilds, and even running Alabama’s offense under the legendary Nick Saban. Now, he finds himself in Baton Rouge, holding a $91 million contract with LSU and a clear mission: to elevate the Tigers to new heights. This offseason, Kiffin's move to LSU was the headline that overshadowed all others, sparking predictions as varied as the coach himself.
CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns didn’t hold back, dubbing it an “obvious A+ hire” in a Valentine’s Day feature previewing the 2026 season. Bahns praised Kiffin as “one of the most elite coaches in the sport,” highlighting his savvy use of the transfer portal as a game-changer for LSU. With a seven-year, $91 million deal signed on November 30, 2025, Kiffin’s commitment to LSU is as bold as the numbers suggest.
The roster backing this bold move is impressive, with LSU’s transfer class ranked No. 1 nationally by 247Sports. Key additions include quarterback Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton from Colorado, and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen from Ole Miss.
Kiffin’s track record at Ole Miss speaks volumes, boasting a 55-19 record and three consecutive double-digit win seasons-a first for the program. However, he departed while Ole Miss was still in the midst of a CFP semifinal run, a move that stirred plenty of conversation.
Kiffin’s past coaching stops-whether with the Raiders, Tennessee, USC, Florida Atlantic, or Ole Miss-often started with promise but ended when Kiffin moved on to the next opportunity. CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson rated the LSU hire a B+, citing Kiffin’s history with previous employers as a potential red flag, suggesting this could be another short-lived chapter.
Adding to the debate, CBS Sports’ Cody Nagel predicted LSU might not make the playoff in Kiffin’s first year, pointing to the SEC’s relentless competition, potential issues with offensive cohesion, and a new quarterback adapting to a fresh system.
Two analysts, two different takes, and one program with high expectations. Lane Kiffin and LSU are poised for an intriguing journey, with $91 million riding on whether this partnership can finally be the one that sticks.