With LSU wrapping up a massive deal for the Ole Miss coach, Lane Kiffin’s call still hangs over the college football landscape

Lane Kiffin’s Uncertain Future Puts College Football on Edge as LSU Closes In

LSU zeroes in on Kiffin with massive offer

LSU power brokers are ramping up a full-scale pursuit of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
University leaders and athletic officials are working to finalize a multi-million-dollar contract proposal and are hoping to secure Kiffin’s answer within the next week — the strongest move yet in their extended effort to land him.

Despite the aggressive push, Kiffin’s true intentions remain unclear, even to many people in his inner circle. He is believed to be weighing three options: staying at Ole Miss in Oxford, or jumping to high-profile openings at LSU or Florida.

A Friday afternoon meeting between Kiffin, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter and chancellor Glenn Boyce ended without a resolution, according to a statement from Carter. He indicated that a formal announcement on Kiffin’s future is expected next Saturday, after Ole Miss faces Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Friday.

Meanwhile, in Baton Rouge, LSU’s top decision-makers are preparing to present a formal offer to Kiffin and his representatives. Sources told Yahoo Sports that school officials have discussed a seven-year deal, heavy on incentives, worth at least $90 million — a number that would put Kiffin at or near the top of the sport’s salary ladder.

LSU is also pitching a sizable investment in NIL resources, with commitments of more than $25 million earmarked for roster-building — a factor that could prove more influential than Kiffin’s own compensation.

Political backing and competing suitors

Despite recent public comments from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry criticizing sky-high coaching salaries, the governor has signed off on LSU’s aggressive pursuit of Kiffin. The search is being spearheaded by newly appointed athletic director Verge Ausberry.

There is growing optimism in Baton Rouge that this latest push may finally secure Kiffin’s commitment. But Florida’s administration and top boosters are said to be just as confident, having been in the mix for weeks. Both LSU and Florida, aware of Kiffin’s hesitation, are keeping conversations open with other candidates.

That broader candidate pool includes Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, widely believed to be a top target in Auburn’s search to replace Hugh Freeze.

Ole Miss caught in the middle

Kiffin’s indecision is creating real headaches in Oxford.

Ole Miss, ranked No. 6 and firmly in the College Football Playoff picture, is preparing for its rivalry showdown at Mississippi State next Friday in Starkville — a game that could determine whether the Rebels host a playoff game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. They even retain an outside shot at reaching the SEC championship game.

Inside the program, the constant speculation is wearing thin. Those around the team describe a locker room that is uneasy, frustrated and, in some cases, angry about how public the coach’s situation has become.

“It’s not good,” said one official who regularly attends practices and visits the Manning Center. “The players know. They read it all.”

Ole Miss has been far from passive. For weeks, school officials have been working on a plan to keep Kiffin, who already sits inside the top 10 nationally with a $9 million annual salary. Their proposal includes a raise but is said to focus even more on guaranteed NIL backing for the roster — a key point in recent meetings with the coach.

Just 10 days ago, in a conversation with Yahoo Sports, Kiffin pointed to robust NIL support as one of the main reasons coaches consider leaving for other jobs. Ole Miss is believed to have spent roughly $20 million on football NIL this season, a number that likely ranks among the top 10–15 programs in the country.

A potentially unprecedented move

Kiffin now stands at the center of what could be one of the most unusual decisions in the modern history of the sport: walking away from a playoff-bound team with legitimate championship hopes still alive.

If he were to leave as soon as next week, his departure could impact Ole Miss’s playoff resume. The College Football Playoff selection committee considers not only injuries but also other major changes that affect a team’s season — and losing a coach renowned for his offensive acumen could factor into their judgment.

A loss to Mississippi State would likely drop Ole Miss into a crowded pack of potential 10–2 contenders on the playoff bubble, a group that could include Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame, BYU, Utah and Oklahoma.

If the Rebels win in Starkville, they are expected to secure a home playoff game — even if Kiffin is no longer on the sideline by then.

Coaching carousel revolves around Kiffin

Kiffin has become the central figure in this year’s coaching carousel.

His choice will trigger a chain reaction across multiple programs and candidate lists, with ripple effects likely to be felt in Auburn, Gainesville, Baton Rouge and even State College, Pennsylvania.

“Everybody’s waiting on him,” one industry source said.

Over the last week, there have been plenty of hints that Kiffin could be ready to move on. He has already declined a new, lucrative extension from Ole Miss. Meanwhile, members of his family have quietly made visits to both Gainesville and Baton Rouge — trips Ole Miss officials learned about from sources other than Kiffin himself.

His daughter, Landry, a sophomore at Ole Miss, attended an LSU fan event in Baton Rouge on Thursday. Earlier this fall, she publicly revealed that she is dating LSU standout Whit Weeks.

Countdown to decision day

Ole Miss has a Saturday off before players and coaches reconvene Sunday afternoon to resume preparations for Mississippi State (5–6).

Hovering over everything is an uncertain, awkward and almost unprecedented scenario.

As one person close to the situation put it:

“I don’t know how this is going to make it to Friday.”