The Lane Kiffin-to-LSU smoke has become so thick in the past 48 hours, it feels more like a matter of when, not if, the Ole Miss coach will be heading a little west to Baton Rouge.
It's a major change from the past week or two, which has centered around Kiffin likely leaning toward the Florida job. But with reports today that Florida was planning to meet with Tulane coach Jon Sumral before the scheduled meeting was called off,, the speculation is the winds have changed and are blowing toward LSU.
And now you add in the reported endorsement for the LSU job from Nick Saban.
LSU is going all-in on Kiffin and not looking back
It might make Kim Mulkey a little mad, but the talk around Baton Rouge is completely centered around LSU's pursuit of Kiffin. Everyone, up to Governor Jeff Landry, is involved in the push to make sure Kiffin's next stop in his coaching career is at LSU.
LSU / Lane Kiffin news: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry continues to get personally involved in the Tigers coaching hunt.
— Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) November 19, 2025
At a political fundraiser in Baton Rouge tonight, Landry said he had spoken to Lane Kiffin “for two hours” about the LSU gig. But he also joked that @MattMoscona…
And now, if the reports about Saban are accurate, the contingent for the Tigers may have pulled out their biggest ace card and one that it will be hard fo Kiffin to ignore.
The Saban-Kiffin relationship is close but complicated
Lane Kiffin is one of the greatest success stories of the Nick Saban coaching rehabilitation school. After tumultuous coaching stints with Tennessee and USC (not to forget the Oakland Raiders), Kiffin was just out there looking for an opportunity and Saban took him in as the Alabama offensive coordinator.
Saban coached Kiffin HARD, even harder than he does with most of his assistants, and he dropped him days before the Crimson Tide played for a national championship. The best way to describe their relationship is that Saban was a big brother that had guardianship over Kiffin. He had to be tough on him because Saban had determined he needed the tough love.
Over the years the respect between the two has grown. Kiffin aspires to be on the level of Saban (who doesn't?). He wants to win championships and have a program to build a stature in his honor. Saban believes he can accomplish these things at LSU.
And who are we to argue with the GOAT?