Lane Kiffin's decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU sent shockwaves through the college football universe. Kiffin departed Ole Miss after leading the Rebels to their best regular season in program history and leading them to the College Football Playoff for the first time. He had publicly expressed his love for Ole Miss and Oxford throughout the past several years, but LSU was ultimately able to lure him away.
Latest Jordan Seaton prediction from industry expert has LSU fans everywhere smiling
During his introductory press conference at LSU, Kiffin hinted that he had received advice from legendary head coach Nick Saban while he was still deciding on his future. Now, LSU's new leader has given more specifics on how that conversation went.
Nick Saban's strong LSU message helped bring Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge
When speaking at The Leadership Power Breakfast on Tuesday morning, Kiffin stated that Saban's advice helped him decide to come to LSU.
"You'll always regret, if you don't go to LSU. It's the best job in America," Saban told Kiffin. "When he said that, that really made the decision for me," Kiffin said.
"You'll always regret, if you don't go to LSU. It's the best job in America."
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) January 20, 2026
Nick Saban to @Lane_Kiffin during #LSU effort to land Kiffin as the new @LSUfootball head coach.
"When he said that, that really made the decision for me." @WAFB pic.twitter.com/Oo6VxzwY1F
LSU is not just another college football job
Saban's comments to Kiffin confirm what LSU fans already know: LSU is not just another coaching job. LSU has everything a coach needs to be successful, which is why the previous 3 coaches before Kelly (Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron) all won national titles by the end of their 4th seasons at LSU.
LSU has the history, recruiting advantages, and administrative resources to have the program competing at the highest level year-in and year-out. That was lost under Kelly, as his tenure ended without ever winning an SEC title or leading the Tigers to the College Football Playoff. LSU has not been to the CFP since its historic 2019 season, and fans are ready for Kiffin to change that.
Heading into Year 1 of the Kiffin era, fans are hungry to see what the Tigers can do in 2026. LSU is among the favorites to win the National Championship next season, so expectations are already sky high for Kiffin.