The bait is out for the biggest fish in this year’s coaching carousel.
LSU football is finalizing a $90 million offer to entice Lane Kiffin to leave Ole Miss football to be the Tigers’ coach, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports.
Kiffin would replace the fired Brian Kelly as the coach in Baton Rouge if he accepts the offer, though Dellenger also reported Kiffin’s ‘true intent remains a mystery – even to those closest to him.’
Earlier Friday, Ole Miss said an ‘announcement on Coach Kiffin’s future is expected the Saturday following’ the Egg Bowl.
In his sixth season at Ole Miss, Kiffin has the Rebels on the doorstep of the College Football Playoff, should they beat Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28.
Kiffin led the Rebels to a bowl game in each season since arriving in 2020. The Rebels missed a bowl in the four seasons before Kiffin arrived.
Ole Miss is paying Kiffin $9 million, according to data collected by USA TODAY Sports. It ranks as the 10th-highest salary for a coach nationally.
The Tigers have been searching for a program-defining hire since firing Kelly after a 5-3 start in 2025. Kiffin would fit the mold.
Before his time at Ole Miss, Kiffin had previously been head coach at Tennessee, USC and Florida Atlantic. He was also the coach of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders and an assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama
Kiffin has built his reputation as an elite offensive mind and transfer portal recruiter.
How much would Lane Kiffin owe Ole Miss for leaving?
If Kiffin were to terminate his contract on or before Dec. 31, 2025, he would owe Ole Miss a flat fee of approximately $4 million
LSU reported offer to Lane Kiffin
Per Dellenger, Kiffin’s offer would be worth $90 million with an additional $25 million per season to go toward roster cash.
Lane Kiffin Ole Miss record
Kiffin has turned the Rebels into a college football power player since arriving in Oxford. He has led Ole Miss to New Year’s Six bowl games in 2021 and 2023, and has it on pace for a CFP berth in 2025.
2020: 5-5 (Outback Bowl)
2021: 10-3 (Sugar Bowl)
2022: 8-5 (Texas Bowl)
2023: 11-2 (Peach Bowl)
2024: 10-3 (Gator Bowl)
2025: 10-1
Ole Miss reporter Sam Hutchens of The Clarion Ledger contributed to this story.
