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The LSU Tigers are now seeking a new head coach following the dismissal of Brian Kelly, who was canned midway through his fourth season with the team. And who has been floated near the top of LSU’s list? None other than Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin is no stranger to jumping around. Since becoming an NCAA head coach for the first time back in 2009, Kiffin has headed four different programs. He also served as head coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2007 and 2008. Read more: Two College Football Programs Reached Out to Marcus Freeman: Report But Kiffin is now in his sixth season at Mississippi, his longest stretch with any school. And based on the fact that the 50-year-old has the Rebels headed toward a College Football Playoff appearance, leaving is probably the furthest thing from his mind right now. Even for a glamorous program like LSU. ESPN’s Dan Wetzel doesn’t seem to think Kiffin will bolt Oxford for Baton Rouge, and he isn’t even sure the timeline would make sense even if he wanted to. OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI – SEPTEMBER 27: Lane Kiffin, Head Coach of the Mississippi Rebels, embraces Brian Kelly, Head Coach of the Louisiana State Tigers, during warm-ups before the college football game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. “Leaving would either require Kiffin to quit on his current team (exceedingly unlikely) or a major power patiently waiting (also unlikely),” Wetzel wrote. “And if the Rebels keep advancing, well, the transfer portal is open Jan. 2-12. The playoff runs through Jan. 19. How would that even work?” Ole Miss improved to 7-1 following its win over Oklahoma last Saturday, its lone loss coming at the hands of Georgia the week prior. The Rebels are now ranked seventh in the country and have a date with a South Carolina squad that has now lost three straight games this weekend. “Whatever Kiffin decides, he has morphed into college football’s most intriguing character, if not the best pure coach for the current era,” Wetzel added. Kiffin has gone 51-19 at Mississippi and has won each of his last two bowl games. This season, though, he may have his best team yet, and he will be in high demand because of it. Not just from LSU, either, but from every high-profile school that is — or will be — in need of a head coach. Read more: Michigan HC Withdraws Appeal, Accepts Suspension Don’t count on Kiffin bolting any time soon, though. Meanwhile, LSU has lost two straight and three of its last four heading into its second bye week. For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
