Lane Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss for LSU has already produced many storylines across the college football landscape.
However, former Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron added another layer this week by revealing Kiffin nearly left Oxford a year earlier for a different job and wanted him as an assistant.
During a recent appearance on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Orgeron said Kiffin contacted him in 2024 while pursuing “another” coaching opportunity and asked whether Orgeron would join his staff.
“He had asked me, he called last year, he was going to get another job, and he wanted to know if I wanted to (join him),” Orgeron said. “I said, ‘I’m not ready yet.’”
Orgeron added that while Kiffin recently asked his opinion of LSU before taking the job, the two never formally discussed a role for Orgeron on the Tigers’ staff. “He hasn’t called me, which is good. I wish him the best of luck,” Orgeron said.
Kiffin’s interest elsewhere comes amid reporting that both Florida and LSU aggressively pursued him during a turbulent 2024 coaching cycle. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin even interviewed Kiffin in Oxford, though LSU ultimately became Kiffin’s preferred landing spot after Brian Kelly’s firing.
Kiffin, who went 54-19 at Ole Miss, referenced a “unique, great call” with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and support from new athletic director Verge Ausberry as factors in choosing LSU. He also inked a 7-year, $91 million contract, which is mostly guaranteed and weighed down with incentives.
As for Orgeron, he wants back in coaching either as an assistant or head coach. He added there's still hopes to join Kiffin’s staff someday.
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Virginia Tech reportedly funding roster near top of ACC for James Franklin
- Leaked NSFW audio exposes Penn State AD Pat Kraft’s identity crisis in Happy Valley
- Diego Pavia asks Donald Trump to fix the College Football Playoff