Josh Pate Ranks College Football's Top-10 Coaches With LSU's Lane Kiffin Making List

Pate locked in his top coaches in college football, Kiffin ranks among America's best decision-makers.

Courtesy of Ty Benefield's Instagram.

The LSU Tigers remain in the spotlight this offseason with the program generating unprecedented buzz after hiring Lane Kiffin as the new shot-caller in Baton Rouge.

There has been no shortage of buzz since Kiffin arrived in the Bayou State with championship expectations rising with new leadership in town - alongside the program assembling the No. 1 Transfer Portal Class in America.

“This place is built for championships with championship expectations. We understand that, but as an elite competitor, that’s exactly what you want, and that’s why we’re here,” Kiffin said at his introductory press conference. …

"I know that we have, with the passion of LSU family and our LSU players, that we have everything to bring championship football back to LSU.

“It’s time for LSU to take its place back as the best program in all of college football. … I’m uniquely prepared at 50 years old for this job to have been so many places, done good things, made a lot of mistakes and made them really early on.”

Courtesy of Peyton Houston on Instagram,

Kiffin has received praise left and right since earning the gig in Baton Rouge where he's quickly made his presence felt this offseason.

Now, as national analysts reveal their Top-10 coaches heading into the 2026 season, Kiffin remains firmly in the mix with Josh Pate placing LSU's shot-caller at No. 6.

No. 1: Ryan Day - Ohio State Buckeyes
No. 2: Kirby Smart - Georgia Bulldogs
No. 3: Curt Cignetti - Indiana Hoosiers
No. 4: Dan Lanning - Oregon Ducks
No. 5: Marcus Freeman - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
No. 6: Lane Kiffin - LSU Tigers
No. 7: Kalen DeBoer - Alabama Crimson Tide
No. 8: Steve Sarkisian - Texas Longhorns
No. 9: Mario Cristobal - Miami Hurricanes
No. 10: Mike Elko - Texas A&M Aggies

Courtesy of Myles Baker on X.

Along with Pate, Fox Sports' Joel Klatt recently announced his Top-10 coaches with Kiffin sliding in at the No. 10 slot.

No. 1: Curt Cignetti - Indiana
No. 2: Ryan Day - Ohio State
No. 3: Kirby Smart - Georgia
No. 4: Dan Lanning - Oregon
No. 5: Marcus Freeman - Notre Dame
No. 6: Steve Sarkisian - Texas
No. 7: Kyle Whittingham - Michigan
No. 8: Kalani Sitake - BYU
No. 9: Mario Cristobal - Miami
No. 10: Lane Kiffin - LSU

Now, all eyes remain on the Bayou Bengals heading into the 2026 season with Kiffin at the helm as championship expectations continue rising for the program in Baton Rouge.

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Paul Finebaum Reveals Bold Statement on LSU Football's Lane Kiffin Amid Major Move

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