Booger McFarland 'couldn't be more excited' for Lane Kiffin to coach LSU

On Sunday, LSU officially named Lane Kiffin its next head coach. The announcement not only generated excitement from the fanbase, but former players as well. ESPN analyst and LSU legend Booger McFarland is thrilled to see Kiffin lead his Tigers.

“Lane’s coaching resume is only outdone by his personality and offensive pedigree,” McFarland said. “He brings all of that to a program that is not short on history, tradition and expectations. As a person who bleeds purple and gold, I couldn’t be more excited to have a friend I’ve known for years to coach the greatest program in America. Welcome to Louisiana brother and Geaux Tigers!”

McFarland played at LSU from 1995-98. He immediately made a massive impact for the Tigers, earning the 1995 SEC Freshman of the Year award. McFarland only improved from there. In his final season in Baton Rouge, McFarland was named an All-American and First-Team All-SEC selection.

McFarland went on to play nine seasons in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls. Simply put, his approval means something. Evidently, McFarland isn’t the only one confident in Kiffin’s future at LSU.

LSU signed Kiffin to a seven-year, $91 million deal. Kiffin and Georgia‘s Kirby Smart are now the only two college head coaches earning $13 million or more per season.

The contract surprised some pundits, especially with LSU owing former head coach Brian Kelly a $53 million buyout. Nonetheless, the Tigers are invested in Kiffin and some experts believe they’re wisely hedging their bets.

“Lane Kiffin took a better job,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said earlier this week. “… I am not here to be some kind of damn apologist for Lane Kiffin under any other circumstances, but in this particular situation, to act like he’s committed a crime—you all are in Oxford, Mississippi, OK? And you are booing this brother out of town after he’s won 74% of his games?

“After he’s spent the last four years being a top-four program in terms of wins in the entire college football landscape? Only Ohio State, Oregon and Georgia have been better. This is what he brought. You were nothing before him. The last time you won anything of relevance was when John F. Kennedy was president.”

Kiffin is already working hard to prove his supporters right. After arriving in Baton Rouge on Sunday evening, Kiffin met with five-star commit Lamar Brown. LSU currently has the No. 12 class in the 2026 recruiting cycle, according to Rivals Industry Rankings.