The coaching carousel just delivered its biggest shockwave. Star coach Lane Kiffin officially secured a massive seven-year deal with the LSU Tigers, immediately vaulting him into the exclusive club of college football’s highest-paid leaders.
This is a deal that demands attention.
According to records obtained by The Advocate and reported via CBS Sports, Kiffin’s new contract is worth a staggering $91 million over seven seasons. This monumental contract pencils him in for $13 million annually before any incentives kick in.
The jaw-dropping salary immediately places Kiffin among the top three highest-paid coaches in the nation, right alongside champions like Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Ohio State’s Ryan Day. LSU clearly believes he is worth every penny.
The Insane Clauses in the Lane Kiffin Contract
The contract is packed with unique and explosive language. One major incentive requires LSU to make Kiffin the highest-paid coach in the entire country if he dominates and leads the Tigers to a National Championship.
Perhaps the strangest clause? LSU agreed to honor Kiffin’s remaining postseason bonuses from Ole Miss! That means Kiffin could earn up to $1 million if the Rebels somehow clinch the national title without him, CBS Sports reports.
But the deal truly secures Kiffin’s future with its buyout language. If LSU ever fires him without cause, the program owes him 80% of his remaining contract value. Even better for Kiffin: the contract includes no offset language, meaning he still collects his massive payments even if he immediately takes another job elsewhere!
Chaos in Oxford
Kiffin’s exit leaves chaos in Oxford. He had just led Ole Miss to a program-first 11-win regular season, a performance that likely sealed a College Football Playoff berth for the Rebels.
Fans quickly flooded social media with raw emotion. One user tweeted, “Kiffin crushed that negotiation. $91 million AND a chance to get paid if his old team wins the natty? Unreal!”
Ole Miss had to move fast, immediately promoting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to permanent head coach. The Rebels are now scrambling to prepare for a looming playoff matchup with a brand new leader at the helm.
Betting on a New Era
This mega-deal officially sets the expectations sky-high in Baton Rouge. LSU paid championship money, and the administration expects championship results immediately. For those tracking College Football Week 14 bets and futures, this move drastically alters the landscape. Betting markets will be recalibrating LSU’s future odds with Kiffin now running the show. The new coach’s first major challenge will be recruiting to quickly retool the roster and lead the Tigers back into the national championship conversation.
