Lane Kiffin’s Early Exit from Texas Bowl Sparks Reactions from LSU Fans
Lane Kiffin has never been one to fly under the radar - and Saturday night was no exception. Just weeks into his tenure as LSU’s new head coach, Kiffin found himself back in the national spotlight, not because of a play call or a press conference, but because of an early exit.
LSU’s 38-35 loss to Houston in the Texas Bowl was already enough to sting for Tigers fans. But what really lit up social media wasn’t the scoreboard - it was a video that surfaced of Kiffin leaving the stadium before the final whistle.
Let’s break down what happened.
A Night That Wasn’t About the Game
Kiffin was front and center before kickoff. He arrived early, took photos on the field, and even joined ESPN for an in-game interview. During the broadcast, the conversation focused heavily on his future with LSU and the transition from Ole Miss, where he’d just wrapped up the program’s best season in school history.
It was a big moment - a new chapter beginning for LSU football. But not long after that interview, fans caught Kiffin on video walking out of the stadium before the game had ended.
In the clip, he’s seen acknowledging fans calling his name, getting into a black SUV, and driving away. The video quickly made the rounds on social media, drawing plenty of reactions - and not all of them were kind.
Social Media Didn’t Hold Back
The reaction was swift and, in many cases, brutal. One fan posted the video with a caption that summed up the sentiment for many: “Didn’t even watch his new team until the end of the game. Made sure everyone heard him on TV and then got in the car and left.”
That post sparked a wave of responses, ranging from critical to sarcastic. Some fans brought up Kiffin’s past exits - from Tennessee to USC to the Raiders - suggesting this was just another chapter in a long-running saga.
Others took a lighter tone, cracking jokes about Houston traffic or suggesting he had somewhere more important to be. One quipped, “There was a high school girls volleyball game he really wanted to get to,” while another added, “Gotta go make some phone calls.”
Still, a few came to his defense, pointing out that many LSU fans had also left early and that Houston traffic at night is no joke.
Kiffin Talks Ole Miss, NIL Distractions
During his ESPN appearance, Kiffin did take a moment to reflect on Ole Miss’s College Football Playoff win over Tulane, calling it “a great day” and “the biggest game in the State of Mississippi.” But in classic Kiffin fashion, he also noted that he didn’t watch much of it live - not because of disinterest, but because he was fielding calls from NIL agents.
That comment, while casual, underscored just how much the landscape of college football has changed - and how much of a head coach’s job now happens off the field.
What Comes Next?
The timing of Kiffin’s exit is still unclear. There’s no confirmation on whether he watched the end of the game from elsewhere. What is clear, though, is that his early departure didn’t sit well with some LSU fans - especially those still adjusting to the idea of him as the face of their program.
This wasn’t a great look, no matter how you slice it. Optics matter, especially when you're the new guy taking over a proud SEC program.
LSU fans are passionate, loyal, and not shy about voicing their expectations. And while Kiffin’s résumé speaks for itself, moments like this can shape perception quickly.
He’s got time to win them over - and winning cures just about everything in college football. But for now, the early exit from the Texas Bowl is the story that’s sticking.