Reports: LSU moves closer to landing Kiffin after Saturday meeting

Lane Kiffin was expected to make a decision on Saturday, but as the day continued, it became clear that conversations between he and Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter and chancellor Glenn Boyce were going to continue well into the night. Finally, the meeting between the group ended and the outcome from that meeting was one that is seemingly positive for LSU.

ESPN’s Marty smith reported this after Kiffin and Carter left.

“Lane Kiffin and athletic director Keith Carter concluded their meeting some 90 or so minutes ago,” Smith said around 9:40 p.m. ET. “The sentiment here in Oxford, Mississippi right now is that Kiffin’s unwillingness to commit is an indicator of his desire to go.”

Yahoo’s Ross Dellinger posted on X: “Lane Kiffin’s future hangs in doubt after a meeting at the UM chancellor’s home over whether he may continue to coach despite intentions to leave for LSU.” Indicating that the hold up was coming from the unwillingness to let Kiffin coach the potential SEC Championship game and the College Football Playoffs even though he was on the way out.

It seems as though that point of contention could get LSU its head coach sooner than expected as Dellinger also posted this at 9:44 p.m. CT: “Update: LSU executives and Lane Kiffin’s reps held a call after the Tigers game at OU to continue solidifying the deal with travel plans: The university is sending two planes to Oxford on Sunday for Kiffin, his family & others”

The belief is that Kiffin and LSU are working their way towards a deal to cement their verbal discussions. Dellinger has indicated “LSU officials believe they hold Kiffin’s commitment to be their next coach, though his desire to continue coaching Ole Miss in the postseason is a snag delaying the formalization of the move, sources tell Yahoo Sports.”

Sunday should being even more clarity as Kiffin and LSU appear to be nearing the finish line and with Ole Miss ready to move on, there should be some clarity and an announcement in the coming day if this is moving how it is being reported.

Things reportedly went south with potential Florida negotiations earlier this week, leaving LSU as the most likely potential destination for the Ole Miss coach. But the logistics of a potential move, should Kiffin accept the Tigers gig, have remained a hurdle.

“I’m told if he wanted to stay he would have already said so,” Smith said. “One sticking point still being considered, I’m told: If he did leave, whether or not he’ll coach the Ole Miss Rebels in the College Football Playoff.”

On3’s Chris Low reported on Friday that Kiffin was either staying at Ole Miss or going to LSU. Florida is no longer a factor in Kiffin’s decision on where he will coach the 2026 season.

“I’ve got to do some praying and figure this thing out,” Kiffin said after the Egg Bowl on Friday night. “I live life one day at a time.”