Urban Meyer mocks Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry over Lane Kiffin's guaranteed contract at LSU

It’s undeniable that the money being spent on college football’s coaching carousel is unprecedented. In 2025, coaching buyouts have totaled $228 million. That’s a record by nearly $100 million. Even just looking at Penn State, that opening has reportedly netted coaches $370.8 million in extension money. So, it made sense when Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry took aim at these contracts.

Part of why Landry was frustrated was the situation at LSU. Brian Kelly was fired, resulting in a $54 million buyout. That was a bill Landry was frustrated to be paying, and he’d take aim at CAA and agent Jimmy Sexton for their negotiation style. He’d also insist that the next LSU coach would have “a totally different contract.”

Then LSU poached Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss. It was a massive move with a Jimmy Sexton client, which left Urban Meyer scratching his head on The Triple Option.

“This is after the governor,” Urban Meyer said. “Elected governor, said we will not have those contracts again. Lane, I looked it up. It’s a guaranteed contract. The same agent. I mean, my God.”

It is a massive financial commitment from LSU to Kiffin. Reportedly, Kiffin is set to receive a seven-year, $91 million contract. That’s around $13 million annually. It makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport. He also has a buyout of 80% of his remaining contract. LSU is even paying Kiffin’s College Football Playoff bonus from Ole Miss, based on their finish, despite not coaching. There is no clause for mitigation or an offset.

It’s a contract that took a 180-degree turn from what Landry had suggested he wanted for LSU. One of Meyer’s co-hosts, Mark Ingram, also got in on the action, noting that Landry likely had influence in the deal.

“The governor is where all that money is in Louisiana,” Ingram said. “So, he had them ponying up. He had them ponying up. Hey, did you hear Lane? Don’t even show me the numbers in the contract. He said, ‘I don’t know the numbers.’ Like, you know the damn numbers.”

All of this comes after a contractual fight over Brian Kelly. That has since been resolved, and LSU is set to pay his $54 million buyout over six years.

Kiffin is a massive swing for LSU. If it works out, it could lead to national championship success. If it doesn’t, however, then LSU might be facing another buyout and coaching search.