Lane Kiffin is expected to become the next head football coach at LSU, sources told ESPN Saturday. The move is anticipated to be finalized Sunday, tho a deal was not signed as of late Saturday night, according to a source. It would be “a shock” if Kiffin doesn’t sign, the source added.
The potential contract is valued at approximately $12 million annually for seven seasons, with bonus potential, positioning Kiffin among the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Kiffin, 50, recently completed an 11-1 regular season with Ole Miss, culminating in a 38-19 victory over Mississippi State and securing a College Football Playoff berth for the Rebels. Though, ole Miss officials do not expect Kiffin to coach the team in the CFP, barring an unforeseen change.
Kiffin met with Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter and chancellor Glenn Boyce for several hours Saturday at the chancellor’s home in Oxford. He is scheduled to meet with Ole Miss players at 10 a.m. ET sunday, followed by an announcement regarding his future.
Ole Miss was eliminated from contention for the SEC Championship game Saturday when Alabama defeated Auburn 27-20. Florida also pursued Kiffin, but Carter and Boyce reportedly informed Kiffin he would not be permitted to coach Ole miss in the CFP should he accept a position with an SEC rival. Kiffin reportedly attempted to persuade administrators to reconsider.
Ole Miss’s decision stems from concerns about Kiffin’s presence during the upcoming transfer portal window, which opens January 2, and a desire to avoid their CFP games serving as recruitment opportunities for LSU.
Despite Kiffin’s anticipated departure, Ole Miss remains likely to host a first-round CFP game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on December 19 or 20.
