"LSU is synonymous with excellence" Lane Kiffin speaks on new opportunity

LSU is at the center of the College Football landscape on this Sunday afternoon as Lane Kiffin has accepted the position of head football coach and is locked in to lead the Tigers into the future.

After the initial news broke, Kiffin released a statement to LSU about his future and goals moving forward.

“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to lead the storied LSU Football program,” Kiffin said. “From national championships to iconic players, LSU is synonymous with excellence and is among the most powerful brands in all of sports. I’m grateful to President Rousse, Verge Ausberry and LSU’s leadership for placing their faith in me to lead this program. Our staff will recruit the very best student-athletes in the country – starting at home in the state of Louisiana – and will work tirelessly every day to bring championships that the LSU fans deserve. Geaux Tigers!”

Kiffin comes to LSU – a program with four national titles to its credit, including three since 2003 – after guiding Ole Miss to double-digit wins four times in six years, including an 11-1 mark this year. Prior to his arrival in 2020, Ole Miss had only two 10-win seasons since 1972.

Leaving Ole Miss for LSU

Kiffin confirmed he wanted to keep coaching the Rebels through the College Football Playoff. However, during his meeting with AD Keith Carter, the two could not come to that agreement and they ultimately decided to leave now for Baton Rouge.

Kiffin is expected to be formally introduced as thew LSU head coach Monday. Ole Miss will be led in the CFP by new permanent head coach Pete Golding, who was promoted Sunday from defensive coordinator.

“After a lot of prayer and time spent with family, I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,” Kiffin said in a statement. “I was hoping to complete a historic six season run with this year’s team by leading Ole Miss through the playoffs, capitalizing on the team’s incredible success and their commitment to finish strong, and investing everything into a playoff run with guardrails in place to protect the program in any areas of concern.

“My request to do so was denied by Keith Carter despite the team also asking him to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance. Unfortunately, that means Friday’s Egg Bowl was my last game coaching the Rebels.”

Kiffin is eager to get down south and coach LSU. But he said he’ll remember his time in Oxford fondly as he transitions to the next chapter of his career.

“While I am looking forward to a new start with a unique opportunity at LSU, I will forever cherish the incredible six years I spent at Ole Miss,” Kiffin continued. “And I will be rooting hard for the team to complete their mission and bring a championship to Oxford.”

Kiffin leaves Ole Miss with an impressive 55-19 record and is 116-53 overall as a head coach with Tennessee, USC, FAU and Ole Miss. He led the Rebels to a program record 11 regular season wins this year and they will have a good shot at hosting a first round College Football Playoff game in a few weeks.

*** Discuss the hire of Lane Kiffin with LSU fans on The Message Board! ***