The long-running speculation surrounding Lane Kiffin’s future appears to be nearly resolved.
Multiple sources indicated Saturday that LSU is expected to finalize a deal to hire Kiffin away from Ole Miss as soon as Sunday. Although the contract had not been officially signed as of late Saturday, those close to the negotiations suggested it would be “a shock” if the agreement didn’t go through.
If finalized, the contract would reportedly be worth around $12 million per year over seven seasons, with additional incentives that could push the total even higher—placing Kiffin among the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Kiffin, 50, just guided Ole Miss to an impressive 11-1 regular-season record, capped by a 38-19 rivalry win over Mississippi State. The Rebels are positioned for a berth in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Despite that success, administrators at Ole Miss do not expect Kiffin to coach the team in the postseason if he completes the move to LSU.
Kiffin is scheduled to meet with Ole Miss players at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, after which an announcement regarding his future is expected.
The anticipated decision follows a Saturday meeting between Kiffin, Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter, and chancellor Glenn Boyce at the chancellor’s home in Oxford. Kiffin had said earlier he planned to make his decision by the end of the day, but no announcement was made.
There was some thought within the program that he might stay long enough to coach one more game if Ole Miss reached the SEC championship. However, Alabama’s 27-20 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl secured the Crimson Tide’s place in the title game against Georgia and eliminated the Rebels from contention.
Both LSU and Florida pursued Kiffin, but Ole Miss leadership firmly maintained that if he accepted another SEC job, he would not be allowed to coach the Rebels in the College Football Playoff. Kiffin pushed for that stance to change, but officials held their ground. Concerns included the timing of the transfer portal opening on Jan. 2 and the possibility that a CFP appearance could serve as an unintended showcase for LSU’s future under Kiffin.
Even if Kiffin departs, Ole Miss remains positioned to potentially host a first-round CFP matchup at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Dec. 19 or 20.
