While everyone is busy getting mad at Lane Kiffin, he just dropped a quote at LSU that should have everyone in the SEC very nervous
The LSU Tigers introduced Lane Kiffin as their new head coach on Monday afternoon in Baton Rouge.
Nearly everyone in college football has a strong opinion about Lane Kiffin leaving the Ole Miss Rebels in the middle of a College Football Playoff run to take over as the new head coach of the LSU Tigers.
And I get it. It was an unprecedented move for the sport. We’ve never seen a head coach leave a program that was a couple of wins away from playing for the national championship.
But thanks to the sport’s messed up December calendar, and Kiffin’s strong desire to be the head coach at LSU in 2026, we ended up with one of the most bizarre sagas in college football history. Kiffin leaving Ole Miss instead of turning down the LSU job and coaching in the playoff is a decision that will be dissected and analyzed for years.
Ultimately, though, the move happened. And while it seems like most folks are angry at Kiffin for his decision, it doesn’t change that he’s now the head coach at LSU. Whatever you think of his personal decisions, there’s no denying that he’s one of the best coaches in college football. And LSU is arguably the best job in college football.
In other words, Kiffin to LSU is not good for the rest of the SEC.
Lane Kiffin dropped a quote at his LSU intro press conference that should have everyone in the SEC very nervous
While speaking to reporters on Monday at his introductory press conference, Kiffin was asked for his thoughts on Tiger Stadium.
Kiffin sounded practically giddy while discussing the incredible atmosphere in Death Valley, while pointing out that he can’t wait to combine the elite home field advantage that LSU provides with his high powered and innovative offense.
“It feels good to be on that sideline,” said Kiffin. “Been here a number of times…I’ve been down there in what you guys have watched for a long time. I would say that you would probably say two of the most intense times and feelings. Those were two overtimes, one at Alabama here and then one at Ole Miss here in the overtime two years ago.
“That feeling on the other end, on the other sideline, all the way from the warm-ups of those night games — I coached a lot of places and a lot of road games, NFL and college, there is nothing like the feeling when you’re on the other sideline and the intensity that you feel. It’s like a weight that you feel. I’ve talked to head coaches who have been here before and they talk about feeling on the other sideline, like how they feel lifted up by the crowd and the intensity. Well, when you’re on the other sideline, you feel it the other way, especially as you get to crunch time and overtime at night.”
“I’ve felt that and I always thought to myself, man, what if we had that advantage on our side?” added Kiffin. “So if we combine what we do, the way that we coach players, the systems that we run, and now we have that intensity on our side for the opponent to deal with. That’s how it painted all together to say, and this is where you’re supposed to be.”
Opposing fans and media members can choose to focus on the way Kiffin left Ole Miss, but they’ll miss the bigger picture — one of the top coaches in the sport just landed at one of the most talent-rich programs in the country. Kiffin’s offense, LSU’s environment, and the elite talent pool in Louisiana, combined with Kiffin’s ability to recruit nationally, is going to lead to nightmares for the rest of the SEC for years to come.
Tennessee Volunteers News
Lane Kiffin has shaken one part of his offensive reputation, now Josh Heupel needs to find a way to do the same at Tennessee
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel could learn a lesson from new LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin.
