Fred McAfee is headed to Baton Rouge - not as a player, but as part of Lane Kiffin’s first coaching staff at LSU. The former Ole Miss running back is expected to join the Tigers as an assistant running backs coach under Kevin Smith, per multiple reports. And yes, that name should sound familiar: he’s the son of longtime New Orleans Saints standout Fred McAfee.
This move is part of a broader trend we’ve seen since Kiffin made the jump from Oxford to LSU. He’s bringing his guys with him - and not just any guys, but key pieces from his Ole Miss staff.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., wide receivers coach George McDonald, and tight ends coach Joe Cox have all followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge. Now, McAfee becomes the latest Rebel-turned-Tiger, continuing a pipeline that’s quickly reshaping the LSU coaching identity.
McAfee spent three seasons in the Ole Miss program from 2021 to 2023. Though he entered the transfer portal after the 2024 spring session and didn’t see the field much, his familiarity with Kiffin’s system and the culture he helped build in Oxford clearly made an impression. Now, he’ll be tasked with helping develop LSU’s backfield alongside Smith - a coach who’s expected to be one of the highest-paid running backs coaches in the country, reportedly earning close to $1 million annually.
For LSU, this hire is another piece of the puzzle in what’s shaping up to be a revamped and aggressive offensive staff. Kiffin is known for surrounding himself with coaches who understand his tempo, his schemes, and his expectations - and McAfee fits that mold. While he may be early in his coaching journey, he brings the perspective of a former SEC player and the pedigree of a football family.
It’s also a notable step for McAfee personally. The opportunity to learn under a veteran like Kevin Smith, who’s coached some of the top backs in college football, gives him a valuable runway to grow in the profession. And with LSU looking to reload and reassert itself in the SEC West, every voice in the room matters - especially ones that have already been through the fire with Kiffin.
Bottom line: LSU’s staff is starting to look a lot like Ole Miss South, and that’s by design. Kiffin wants continuity, and he’s bringing in coaches who know what he wants and how to get it done. McAfee may not have made his mark as a player in Oxford, but he’s got a fresh opportunity to do just that on the sidelines in Baton Rouge.