TL;DR
- Lane Kiffin is leaving Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU.
- His new contract with LSU is reportedly a seven-year deal worth $12 million annually.
- Ole Miss will have defensive coordinator Pete Golding lead the team for the remainder of the season.
- Kiffin's departure follows an 11-win season for Ole Miss and their first Egg Bowl victory in years.
Lane Kiffin is departing Ole Miss following a six-year tenure, declaring on Saturday his acceptance of the head coaching position at LSU. Following a period of considerable conjecture regarding Kiffin’s prospects, we now possess certainty that he is moving on.
This announcement arrives two days subsequent to Ole Miss's 38-19 triumph against Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. The victory not only bestowed upon Oxford an 11-win season for the inaugural time in the institution's annals, but it also practically secured Ole Miss a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Kiffin won't be leading the Rebels in the playoff; instead, Ole Miss is entrusting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to take charge for the rest of the 2025 season and going forward.
LSU has secured a coach with a track record of success, having achieved four seasons with ten or more victories at Ole Miss during his six-year tenure.
Let’s take a look at Kiffin’s contract details with his new gig.
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Lane Kiffin's agreement with LSU
- Years: Seven
- Amount: $12 million per year
Kiffin's contract particulars haven't been formally disclosed. However, we have a strong indication of his anticipated compensation.
ESPN reported indicated Kiffin's agreement was anticipated to be a seven-year arrangement compensating him $12 million each year.
The Advocate reported reported earlier last week that LSU presented Kiffin with a seven-year contract valued at $13 million annually, positioning him as college football's top-earning head coach. The publication further stated that the university was ready to allocate $25-30 million each year for team development.
Lane Kiffin new salary
Kiffin is expected to earn $12 million each year, positioning him among the top earners in college football coaching. Presently, Georgia's Kirby Smart receives more than $13 million annually, and Ohio State's Ryan Day earns over $12 million.
His compensation, when measured against Day's, will position him among the nation's leading coaches in terms of earnings.
MORE LANE KIFFIN NEWS:
- Why Lane Kiffin's departure may impact Ole Miss' ranking in CFP
- Meet Pete Golding, Ole Miss' new head coach with Lane Kiffin gone
- Lane Kiffin's complete history of controversial exits in football
What was the offer extended to Lane Kiffin by Ole Miss?
Ole Miss was said to be prepared to equal LSU's reported financial proposals, approximately $13 million annually, though it remains uncertain if the figures were precisely the same as LSU's.
Kiffin's compensation in 2025 was approximately $9 million per USA Today, positioning him as the eleventh most compensated head coach in collegiate football. As per the Clarion Ledger, Kiffin entered into a six-year agreement valued at $54 million in 2023 with Ole Miss.
What is Lane Kiffin's salary at LSU?
While Kiffin's compensation is anticipated to be $12 million annually, ESPN further notes that the agreement will incorporate the possibility of performance-based incentives. A sum of $12 million spread across seven years amounts to approximately $84 million; however, factoring in diverse bonuses and other contractual inducements, Kiffin might earn nearing $90 million in Baton Rouge.
Top-earning college football mentors
According to the USA Today's database, here's a glimpse at some of the top-earning coaches in college football. Indiana's Curt Cignetti inked a fresh agreement earlier this season, establishing his compensation at $11.6 million. We'll be referencing 2025 earnings for this analysis.
- Georgia's Kirby Smart: $13,282,580
- Ohio State's Ryan Day: $12,575,000
- LSU's Lane Kiffin*: $12,000,000
- Indiana's Curt Cignetti: $11.6 million
- USC's Lincoln Riley: $11,537,560
- Clemson's Dabo Swinney: $11,447,025
- Texas' Steve Sarkisian: $10,800,000
- Oregon's Dan Lanning: $10,400,000
- Alabama's Kalen DeBoer: $10,250,000
- UNC's Bill Belichick: $10,100,000
*reported annual salary amount
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