Lane Kiffin Named Next Head Coach of LSU Tigers; Will Not Finish 2025 Season with Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin is set to become the next head coach of the LSU Tigers, but he will not be finishing the 2025 season with the Ole Miss Rebels despite playing a significant role in leading them to a likely College Football Playoff (CFP) spot.
As part of his new agreement with LSU, Kiffin is reportedly set to receive payments tied to the Rebels’ success, should they make a national title run. According to Nola.com, LSU has agreed to compensate Kiffin with the same bonus structure he was entitled to under Ole Miss if the Rebels advance in the CFP.
Under his Ole Miss contract, Kiffin was scheduled to receive $150,000 just for Ole Miss making the CFP and playing a first-round game. Bonuses increased with deeper playoff progress:
– $250,000 for reaching the quarterfinals
– $500,000 for a semifinal appearance
– $750,000 if the Rebels reached the national championship game
In the unlikely event that Ole Miss wins the national title, Kiffin was set to earn a $1 million bonus.
Kiffin’s Departure and Final Season Decisions
Although Kiffin decided to take the LSU job starting next season, he expressed a desire to finish out the current season as the head coach of Ole Miss, regardless of how far the Rebels advanced in the playoffs. However, he pointed to Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter as the reason his request was denied.
“We went through a lot last night with Keith Carter trying to figure out a way to make this playoff run work and be able to coach the team. And at the end of the day, that’s his decision and I totally respect that. I understand that decision,” Kiffin told ESPN regarding Carter’s choice not to allow him to remain with the Rebels for the remainder of the season.
Kiffin added, “I just totally wish the team the best of luck, wish that I was coaching. I just hope they play really well and go win the national championship.”
Guidance from Coaching Legends
Before finalizing his move to Baton Rouge, Kiffin consulted with college football coaching legends Pete Carroll and Nick Saban. “My heart was here. But I talked to some mentors — coach Carroll, coach Saban. Especially when coach Carroll said, ‘Your dad would tell you to go. Take the shot.’”
Reflecting on his time at Tennessee, Kiffin shared he had “always hated how we gave it one year and left,” and expressed pride in what he accomplished at Ole Miss. “I think we gave a lot to this program and to this city and some of those historic wins in this stadium, best regular season in the history of the school. So, I’m proud of that part.”
Kiffin concluded, “But it just became time. I talked to God, and he told me it’s time to take a new step. It’s a new chapter.”
New Head Coach Appointed at Ole Miss
Following Kiffin’s departure, Ole Miss has named defensive coordinator Pete Golding as the new head coach to lead the Rebels moving forward.
—
For more sports coverage, visit FoxNews.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lane-kiffin-receive-ole-miss-playoff-bonuses-from-lsu-despite-leaving-rebels-before-postseason-report
