Report: Kiffin signs 7-year, $91M contract with LSU
LSU signed Lane Kiffin to a seven-year, $91-million contract to become its new head coach, according to a copy of the term sheet obtained by The Advocate's Wilson Alexander.
The reported deal would place Kiffin among the highest-paid coaches in college football with an annual salary of $13 million. Georgia's Kirby Smart leads the country with a $13.28 million salary in 2025, per USA Today.
If Kiffin wins a national championship at LSU, his annual compensation will increase to make him the nation's highest-paid college coach, Alexander adds. The term sheet also stipulates that the school will owe Kiffin 80% of his remaining salary if it fires him without cause, payable in monthly installments through the remainder of the pact.
Kiffin heads to Baton Rouge after compiling a 55-19 record over six campaigns at Ole Miss. This season, he guided the Rebels to a program-best 11-1 mark and an opportunity to play in the College Football Playoff for the first time.
LSU lands a new coach after parting ways with Brian Kelly on Oct. 26, despite six years remaining on his contract. Kelly earned $10.1 million this season before being fired following a 5-3 start to his fourth year with the Tigers. Frank Wilson guided the program to a 2-2 mark as the interim head coach.
Kiffin announced on social media Sunday that he accepted LSU's coaching job. He said that Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter denied his request to coach the Rebels in the CFP, "despite the team also asking" that he be allowed to finish the season with them.
Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the school's permanent head coach following Kiffin's departure.