Lane Kiffin leaned on Hall of Fame-level counsel before accepting LSU’s head coaching role, citing Pete Carroll and Nick Saban among the mentors who shaped his decision. Mostly because of the ties to his late father, Monte, who passed away last year.
But when pressed Monday evening about the specific message Saban delivered in their conversation, Kiffin deflected and politely declined.
The topic emerged in Baton Rouge during Kiffin’s introductory news conference, where he credited the former LSU and Alabama coach for offering meaningful guidance as he weighed leaving Ole Miss for the Tigers. Yet Kiffin made clear that the exact details would remain private.
“Coach Saban kind of coached at another place in this conference,” Kiffin said, referencing Alabama, “so I can’t really say exactly what he said.” Reporters in the room laughed at the dodge, but Kiffin stayed firm.
The 50-year-old coach said he “respects him immensely” and “thinks the world of him,” steering the conversation toward admiration rather than disclosure. Kiffin served as Saban’s Alabama offensive coordinator from 2014-16, a tenure in which their relationship based on football, mentorship and candid humor.
Kiffin framed the secrecy simply as loyalty and competitive awareness. Publicly repeating a private Saban message, especially one possibly rooted in LSU history, Alabama rivalry or the SEC coaching carousel, wasn’t a boundary he planned to cross.
By contrast, Kiffin openly recounted Carroll channeling his late father, Monte Kiffin, urging him to “go get it.” With Saban, Kiffin opted for discretion, letting the intrigue linger as he begins a new chapter in Baton Rouge.
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