Lane Kiffin hasn’t just landed in Baton Rouge - he’s arrived. And if there was any doubt about how quickly Louisiana has taken to its new head coach, Thursday night’s Mardi Gras parade down St. Charles Avenue put that to rest in spectacular (and satirical) fashion.
Just two months into his tenure at LSU, Kiffin became an unexpected star of the Knights of Chaos parade in New Orleans, where a float featuring a larger-than-life caricature of the coach rolled through the Uptown route - and instantly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments. The krewe, known for its sharp-edged humor and pop culture jabs, didn’t hold back.
The float showed Kiffin in a crop top and leggings, headset in place, standing in front of a money-themed backdrop. The display was labeled “Ole Misstake,” a not-so-subtle jab at his departure from Ole Miss, with “Who’s your daddy?”
boldly splashed across the side.
It was classic Mardi Gras - irreverent, over-the-top, and impossible to ignore. And the crowd ate it up. Cheers erupted as the float passed, and social media lit up with reactions and snapshots, turning Kiffin’s cartoonish likeness into a viral sensation before the night was over.
This moment wasn’t just about a float - it was a signal. Kiffin isn’t just coaching LSU football; he’s already becoming part of the cultural fabric of Louisiana.
That kind of embrace doesn’t happen overnight, especially in a place as tradition-rich and personality-driven as New Orleans during Carnival season. But somehow, Kiffin’s blend of swagger, success, and self-awareness is clicking with the locals in a way that feels uniquely fitting.
Of course, the fanfare isn’t just about Mardi Gras theatrics. Kiffin arrived at LSU in December after a standout 11-1 season at Ole Miss, stepping in to replace Brian Kelly with a blockbuster seven-year, $91 million contract.
And he’s wasted no time making his presence felt on the recruiting trail, assembling one of the top transfer portal classes in the country. That kind of momentum has Tigers fans buzzing - and makes the Mardi Gras lovefest feel like more than just a party trick.
And the celebration isn’t stopping with one parade. Kiffin is set to ride again this weekend, serving as co-grand marshal of the Krewe of Endymion parade - one of the biggest and most beloved events on the Mardi Gras calendar. It’s another sign of just how quickly he’s become a fixture in the state’s sports and cultural scene.
No, he’s not officially royalty. But in the eyes of LSU fans and Mardi Gras revelers alike, Lane Kiffin is already wearing the crown.