When Lane Kiffin made the jump from Ole Miss to LSU, the college football world lit up with reactions-and not all of them were kind. Critics were quick to label him everything from opportunistic to disloyal, while others took a more measured view, recognizing that coaches, like players, have to make decisions that serve their long-term goals. But amid all the noise, one narrative quietly simmered: would Kiffin’s son, Knox, follow him to LSU?
Well, that question got a little more interesting this week.
Knox Kiffin, a rising quarterback prospect, took to Instagram to announce that he’s received a scholarship offer-not from LSU, but from the University of Washington. In his post, he wrote, “Blessed to receive a offer from the University of Washington!” and tagged Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch in a show of appreciation.
This offer, and the public way it was shared, adds a new layer to the ongoing conversation about how head coaches handle the recruitment of their own children. In many cases, we’ve seen coaches bring their sons into their own programs-Deion Sanders at Colorado with Shilo and Shedeur, Brian Kelly bringing his son Kenzel to LSU. The logic is pretty straightforward: if you trust your system, your staff, and your development pipeline, why not keep your kid close?
So naturally, there was an assumption that Lane Kiffin might do the same. After all, as the head coach at LSU, he would certainly have the power to bring Knox into the fold if he wanted to.
But this offer from Washington-and Lane’s quiet endorsement of it by sharing the post-suggests something different. It suggests a coach who’s not just thinking about Xs and Os, but about autonomy and growth for his family.
Kiffin hasn’t commented publicly on the offer, but his response speaks volumes. He’s clearly proud of his son’s opportunity, regardless of whether it aligns with his own program.
And that’s consistent with how he’s handled things in the past. His daughter, Presley Kiffin, is a volleyball player at USC, and he’s been spotted supporting her at matches-even while coaching in the SEC.
That kind of support shows a coach who’s not just invested in his job, but in his kids’ individual paths.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t a case of a coach distancing himself from his son’s recruitment. On the contrary, Lane Kiffin appears to be embracing the idea that Knox may want to carve his own path-possibly even one that takes him across the country.
And that’s not a knock on LSU or its program. It’s a reflection of a family that values independence and personal growth, even in a sport where legacy and loyalty often dominate the headlines.
Will Knox end up at Washington? That remains to be seen.
But what’s clear is that the Kiffin family isn’t following a script. They’re writing their own, one offer-and one decision-at a time.