Lane Kiffin dives into a highly anticipated, politically charged first season with No. 11 LSU

LSU coach Lane Kiffin is set to begin a highly anticipated and politically charged first season with the No. 11 Tigers. LSU’s buzz accelerated after the team hired the 51-year-old Kiffin in late November, when he left Ole Miss after the Egg Bowl and signed a seven-year, $91 million contract. The article links the hiring to upheaval inside LSU, including LSU firing Brian Kelly in October, buying out $54 million of his contract, and later replacing athletic director Scott Woodward with Verge Ausberry following a shake-up associated with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and LSU’s Board of Supervisors. LSU opens the 2026 season at home against Clemson on Sept. 5.