Ole Miss’ run to its first College Football Playoff will include an unexpected reunion on the sidelines, thanks to a unique set of contract terms and a multi-million dollar incentive for former coach Lane Kiffin.
Four LSU offensive assistants who followed Kiffin from Oxford to Baton Rouge flew back to Mississippi to help the sixth-ranked Rebels prepare for their Dec. 20 CFP opener against Tulane. The move came with Kiffin’s blessing, and perhaps with motivation beyond goodwill.
Under the postseason bonus structure in his former Ole Miss, Kiffin stands to make up to $2.5 million if the Rebels win the national championship. All contract payments LSU agreed to honor when they signed him to a seven-year, $91 million contract.
Tight ends coach Joe Cox, wide receivers coach George McDonald, assistant quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens and slot receivers coach Sawyer Jordan rejoined the Rebels. They will assist defensive-coordinator-turned-head-coach Pete Golding through the playoff. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., who is also headed to LSU, will continue calling plays for Ole Miss during the postseason.
Correct. The term sheets for LSU’s offensive coaches have clauses that would make them pay 300% of their then-current salary to leave before the end of March 2026.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) December 9, 2025
LSU was never concerned because it has that financial protection. Reporting from last week: https://t.co/Jw09z2uJDd https://t.co/47MjrVzC9o
According to The New Orleans Advocate, each assistant signed a binding memorandum of understanding with LSU that includes a non-compete clause and a steep financial penalty: 300% of their salary if they leave LSU before March 2026.
The agreements effectively allow the Tigers to “loan” the coaches back while protecting the program, according to Front Office Sports. Ole Miss officials denied Kiffin’s request to coach the team through the CFP after he accepted the LSU job.
But LSU officials said Tuesday the school would have permitted Kiffin to finish the run in Oxford had the Rebels approved it.
Ole Miss (11–1) would face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 with a win over Tulane.
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