Lane Kiffin didn’t mince words during his Wednesday press conference - he sees the value in running a college football program like an NFL franchise. And he’s not just talking the talk. With nearly two decades separating him from his stint as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, Kiffin has brought pieces of that professional experience into the college game, especially as the landscape of college football continues to shift dramatically.
What’s clear is this: the traditional model of college athletics is evolving fast, and the programs that are thriving in this new era are the ones embracing a more professional, NFL-style infrastructure.
You’re hearing terms like “front office staff” in college football now - language that used to be reserved for Sundays. And while it’s not a one-to-one comparison, the parallels are striking.
High school recruiting has become the college version of the NFL Draft. Programs are investing years into scouting and building relationships, all to land key commitments during the December signing window.
Then comes January, where the transfer portal swings open and essentially becomes college football’s version of free agency. Thousands of players enter, and programs scramble to fill holes, upgrade talent, and manage roster turnover in real time.
Kiffin, for his part, has leaned into this model early - and hard. He’s been one of the more vocal advocates for treating roster management like a front office operation. That means hiring general managers, building out personnel departments, and treating roster construction with the same long-term vision and strategic planning NFL franchises rely on.
It’s not just about the X’s and O’s anymore. It’s about cap-like roster math, talent evaluation, and future-proofing your depth chart. Programs like LSU have taken notice, with head coaches bringing on GMs and support staff who specialize in managing the ever-shifting balance of high school recruiting, the portal, and NIL dynamics.
In short, the programs that are adapting are the ones staying competitive. And Kiffin’s approach - rooted in pro-style structure and modern roster strategy - is a blueprint more and more schools are starting to follow.