Lane Kiffin Lands at LSU With Historic $91M Contract and Playoff Twist

Lane Kiffin is heading to Baton Rouge. The high-profile coach is leaving the University of Mississippi for arch-rival LSU. The move shakes the college football world just days before the College Football Playoff field is set.

His new deal is monumental. According to contract details, Kiffin will be introduced as the Tigers’ head coach on Monday.

Contract Details Create Unprecedented Scenario

Kiffin’s agreement with LSU is for seven years. It guarantees him $91 million in total compensation. This salary immediately makes him the second-highest-paid coach in college football.

Only Georgia’s Kirby Smart earns more. The contract also has a notable escalator clause. Kiffin’s pay would rise to the top of the industry if he wins a national championship at LSU.

A unique clause ties Kiffin to his former team’s success. As reported by the Baton Rouge Advocate, LSU will pay Kiffin any postseason incentives he would have earned at Ole Miss. This covers the upcoming College Football Playoff.

He can earn $150,000 if Ole Miss plays in the first round. That figure climbs to $1 million if the Rebels win the national title. This creates the strange scenario of a coach financially backing his old team from a new sideline.

Fan Reactions and Playoff Implications

The timing of the move is particularly painful for Ole Miss fans. Their team just won the Egg Bowl and is poised for a playoff berth. The announcement creates raw feelings of abandonment during a season of high achievement.

Kiffin reportedly asked to coach the Rebels in the playoff. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter denied that unusual request. The team must now prepare for the expanded 12-team tournament without its acclaimed offensive leader.

For LSU, the hire signals massive ambition. The Tigers are getting one of the sport’s most recognizable and successful coaches. They are betting heavily that Kiffin can deliver championships in the tough SEC.

The deal includes significant protection for the coach. If LSU fires Kiffin without cause, he is owed 80% of his remaining salary. This shows the level of commitment from the university’s side.

Lane Kiffin’s move to LSU redefines coaching contracts and rivalries. His unprecedented financial link to Ole Miss’s playoff run adds a bizarre new layer to the story. This deal will be analyzed for years to come.

Thought you’d like to know

How much is Lane Kiffin’s new LSU contract worth?

Lane Kiffin’s contract with LSU is a seven-year deal worth $91 million. This makes him the second-highest-paid coach in college football behind Kirby Smart.

Can Kiffin still earn money from Ole Miss’s playoff run?

Yes. His LSU contract includes a clause where LSU will pay him any postseason incentives he would have earned at Ole Miss. This includes up to $1 million if the Rebels win the national championship.

Why did Ole Miss deny Kiffin’s request to coach in the playoff?

Athletic Director Keith Carter decided it was best for the program to move forward. Having a departing coach lead the team into the postseason was seen as an untenable situation.

What is the reaction among Ole Miss fans?

Rebels fans feel a deep sense of betrayal. The move comes right after a major rivalry win and just before their first appearance in the expanded College Football Playoff.

When will Lane Kiffin be officially introduced at LSU?

LSU will formally introduce Lane Kiffin as its new head coach on Monday afternoon in Baton Rouge. This follows a rapid negotiation process over the weekend.