Lane Kiffin is making waves and this time for reasons that felt all too familiar.
The new LSU coach has under scrutiny from just about everyone outside the Tigers’ fan base since leaving Ole Miss on the heels of the Rebels’ best season in program history. For LSU fans, none of that mattered. Kiffin was theirs now, hired to elevate the Tigers back into national title contention, and the optics of his exit from Oxford were quickly dismissed.
That patience was tested Saturday during LSU’s Texas Bowl matchup against Houston.
Kiffin appeared on the ESPN broadcast during the game, creating an awkward scene in the booth as he praised his former Ole Miss players for competing in what he called the biggest game in Mississippi football history.
New LSU coach Lane Kiffin talks about Ole Miss winning CFP game against Tulane.
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) December 28, 2025
“It was awesome, that was a great day, it really was. I’m not just saying that..The biggest game in the State of Mississippi”
Said he didn’t have much time to watch game so far, because NIL agents… pic.twitter.com/sKNpZ95QEj
When the conversation turned to LSU, Kiffin explained he had missed portions of the game because NIL agents were constantly calling his phone. It was a comment that landed with mixed reactions online. The real stir came shortly afterward.
Video circulated on social media appearing to show Kiffin leaving the stadium well before the game ended. Fans in the clip can be heard calling out his name as he walks toward a black SUV and drives away. At the time the video surfaced, LSU was still playing, eventually falling 38-35 to Houston.
Lane Kiffin left the Texas Bowl shortly after his appearance on ESPN and didn’t stay for LSU’s entire game pic.twitter.com/Zs4PERAdA1
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 28, 2025
The exact timing of Kiffin’s departure remains unclear. He officially takes over the program after the postseason and was not coaching the Tigers on Saturday. Yet, he'll get significant bonus money from Ole Miss' playoff success.
Does Kiffin's early exit matter? Not really.
To Ole Miss fans still upset over leaving, absolutely. Social media lit up with familiar criticism about Kiffin getting lost with another program in the middle of something meaningful. LSU fans, meanwhile, were quick to defend him, noting he hasn’t formally assumed control of the team.
The irony was hard to miss. For a coach who carefully curates his public persona, Kiffin once again found himself trending for leaving early. It was hilarious, but ultimately insignificant in the bigger picture. Especially when some players don't want to play in lower-tier bowl games.
More college football news:
Michigan’s Biff Poggi warns up to 25 players may not return after Christmas break
Oregon's Dan Lanning rips College Football Playoff, calls for major changes
Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
ESPN's grade for LSU hiring Lane Kiffin will make Ole Miss fans even more mad
Why Diego Pavia attorneys are fighting the NCAA for seventh year of eligibility