Analyst links Lane Kiffin to LSU coaching vacancy after Kelly firing

BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU’s coaching search has begun, and one national analyst believes Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin could be the Tigers’ next target following the firing of Brian Kelly.

Kelly’s dismissal came Sunday after LSU’s 6-3 start and a 34-14 overall record in four seasons.

Athletics director Scott Woodward said in a statement that while the program appreciated Kelly’s effort and professionalism, the results “did not reach the level LSU demands.”

The school owes Kelly between $50 million and $55 million in buyout compensation, according to multiple media reports. The range may be an indication nobody knows for sure and there’s a negotiation going on.

The move ends a coaching tenure that began with optimism after Kelly’s 2022 SEC West title, but one that failed to meet expectations following back-to-back uneven seasons.

LSU’s 2025 roster remains loaded with talent, yet the program fell short in critical moments, including losses to Texas and Ole Miss this fall.

In a report by Sports Illustrated, an analyst cited Kiffin as the coach most likely to attract LSU’s attention.

“[Kiffin], in my mind, always just seemed restless at Ole Miss,” said ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum. “As much as he has tried to convince everybody that this is his nirvana, I just don’t believe it. I have a hard time believing that Lane Kiffin is not intrigued by it.”

Kiffin, who has guided Ole Miss to a 7-1 record and top-10 national ranking this season, is one of the SEC’s most successful offensive minds.

Since arriving in Oxford in 2020, he has transformed the Rebels into a perennial contender, leveraging the transfer portal and modern offensive systems to maximize production.

Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton also weighed in, suggesting Kiffin faces a decision between comfort and legacy.

“If you go to LSU, you have the likes of Ed Orgeron and Nick Saban and those guys,” Newton said in an interview referenced by SI. “If you stay at Ole Miss, I say, ‘Give me what I’m owed, and I can build something great that has never been here before.’”

The Sports Illustrated report emphasized that LSU’s job, while prestigious, carries significant pressure.

Each of the past three coaches — Orgeron, Saban and Les Miles — won national championships within four seasons. Kelly’s inability to replicate that success sealed his fate despite consistent recruiting and top-15 finishes.

According to CBS Sports, other names expected to emerge include Troy coach Jon Sumrall, Penn State’s James Franklin, and Washington’s Jedd Fisch. Sumrall currently leads betting odds to land the position, per Sportsbook Review.

Budget constraints could shape the search. As 247Sports noted, LSU’s financial commitment to Kelly may reduce the flexibility to pursue a high-priced candidate, though Woodward has a history of landing marquee names.

He previously hired Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and Kim Mulkey for LSU women’s basketball.

If LSU pursues Kiffin, the timing could prove delicate. Ole Miss has positioned itself for a potential College Football Playoff berth, and university officials have signaled their commitment to retaining him long-term.

His most recent extension reportedly runs through 2028 with incentives tied to postseason success.

Still, the allure of Baton Rouge remains potent.

LSU offers one of the nation’s top recruiting territories, elite facilities and a fan base accustomed to national titles. For Kiffin, the opportunity to compete annually for championships might outweigh the stability of staying in Oxford.

Kiffin’s coaching path has been unconventional. He began as the NFL’s youngest head coach with the Oakland Raiders in 2007, followed by stints at Tennessee and USC.

After revitalizing his reputation as Alabama’s offensive coordinator, he rebuilt Florida Atlantic into a conference champion before taking over Ole Miss.

His offensive innovation and command of the transfer market have since become defining traits.

Despite the speculation, LSU has not publicly contacted any candidates. The school announced it will conduct a “comprehensive national search.”

Sources close to the program told CBS Sports the Tigers hope to finalize a hire by early December, before the early signing period.

Whether Kiffin would leave Oxford is uncertain.

He has repeatedly expressed satisfaction with Ole Miss’ direction, telling reporters earlier this season that “we’ve built something special here.”

Still, Finebaum’s remarks suggest that even Kiffin might find LSU’s opening hard to ignore.