Live Updates: Lane Kiffin's Introductory Press Conference With LSU Football

LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin will take the podium in Baton Rouge on Monday afternoon for his introductory press conference in Tiger Stadium.

In an unprecedented move, Kiffin departed the No. 6 ranked Ole Miss Rebels (11-1, 7-1 SEC) on Sunday amid a College Football Playoff run in Oxford.

Now, he's arrived in the Bayou State with an opportunity to take control of the Tigers moving forward with expectations rising.

“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!”

LSU Tigers Football. — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin walks off the field during a college football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. The Egg Bowl game marks the 122nd meeting between the two teams. | Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Now, he's set to take the podium in Baton Rouge to take control of the LSU Tigers program as the new era begins in town.

Lane Kiffin Notes:

In six seasons in Oxford, Kiffin led the Rebels to unprecedented heights posting a 55-19 mark, leading teams to six consecutive bowl games (including three wins and two New Year’s Six appearances), four 10-win seasons (including the first ever 11-win season in 2023, the first two 10-win regular seasons in program history in 2021 and 2023, and the first 11-win regular-season in program history in 2025), and several of the most statistically significant campaigns in Ole Miss football history.

The 55 wins are the most in a six-year period in Ole Miss history since the Rebels won 57 games from 1957-62, while his 50 victories since 2021 rank behind only Georgia and Alabama as the most in the SEC during that span.

Kiffin’s Rebel teams have broken into the national top-10 in at least one poll in each of the last five seasons since 2021, the first such streak at Ole Miss since Rebel legend John Vaught’s teams from 1960-64. Ole Miss has played 38 consecutive games as a Top 25 team and they have been ranked in 62 of its 74 games in six years under Kiffin. Ole Miss is currently ranked No. 7 in the College Football Playoff Rankings.

Press Conference Notes:

- LSU head coach Lane Kiffin has arrived in Tiger Stadium for his press conference alongside his son, daugter, and family mebers.

- LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is sitting two seats down from Kiffin where he walked in with his camp to open the press conference.

- LSU President Wade Rousse has taken the podium to thank the coaching search committee, athletics director Verge Ausberry, and the university for navigating the necessary steps to secure Lane Kiffin's services.

- LSU Athletics Director Verge Ausberry has taken the podium to reveal his pitch to land Kiffin - a program that can elevate his status to reach a National Championship, build a dynasty, and provide the resources to do so.

Live Updates: Lane Kiffin's Quotes

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Note: Kiffin's press conference was set to begin at 3:30 p.m. CT, but has since been delayed by 20 minutes.

Opening Statement: "First off, I want to thank my family for their love during this process. I'd like to thank University President Wade Rousse, Athletics Director Verge Ausberry for getting me here... Also the people that have reached out during this process.

"I am honored to be the head coach of LSU. This place is different - having watched this place for a long time, being in this stadium on the opposite sidelines.

"Leaving Ole Miss was difficult. We did everything we could to stay with the programs throughout the [College Football Playoff].

"Oxford will forever be a part of my story... LSU is the best job in football... No one can argue that when you're in Tiger Stadium, that there is nothing like that. There are championship expectations. That's why we are here.

"My journey to this point has been unique, but it's led me to this point... This will be the best destination. The message is simple - bring the best players to Baton Rouge. To win big, you need everyone pulling in the same direction. The leadership in Baton Rouge does that.

"I know the passion of the LSU family and LSU players, we have the ability to win championships at LSU. Thanks for everyone for showing up. Let's go to work. Geaux Tigers."

Question: You talked about how happy you were at Ole Miss... What led you here?

Answer: That was excruciating and difficult... I'm very grateful for the chancellor and Keith Carter. We wanted to give them the best chance to win in the playoffs...

Question: Are there things that you can share in conversations with your mentors and who swayed you here?

Answer: It was a difficult decision... When you are torn, and there are multiple options, we had to talk things over. Everybody that I talked to - outside of the state that I was in - basically said the same thing "You will regret not going to LSU. It has the best resources." Pete Carroll told my Dad that he'd take care of me... When we were talking, he said "This is exactly what your Dad would do."

Question: What are your memories of coming here as an opponent?

Answer: It feels good to be on that sideline. I've been down there... You would say it's two of the most intense times and feelings. One at Alabama here and one at Ole Miss here. That feeling on the other sideline - I've coached at a lot of places - there is nothing like the intensity here. It's like a weight on you... I felt that.

Question: What are some of the immediate needs that you want to address?

Answer: I don't know that I can get into it. I've only been here for 24 hours. Not all of that is figured out - It's a challenging spot to be in because LSU is playing in a bowl game too.

Question: Is there anything that surprised you during this process? What has Nick Saban said to you?

Answer: I just felt the passion from [athletics director Verge Ausberry]. I felt the passion... It's why we went through a challenging time and decision. There were a lot of opportunities to leave. The only one that we were leaving for was the one that we felt alignment for.

Question: How much did an NIL plan play into your decision?

Answer: In that, when you talk about the four places and making a decision, I said during the process that I am never making a decision about money. I do not know my contract here [with a laugh]. I told Jimmy Sexton, don't tell me the numbers. Now, tell me the numbers and the plan for the players. That's everything in that area... It was very important and very critical. We talked to some donors to see exactly how that does work. There is a great plan here.

Question: Do you see this as a career-defining move?

Answer: Yeah, I hope so. I've learned to take things day-by-day over my years.... I've made a lot of mistakes, but I made them early on... I got to learn from those. It's not necessarily great. If you take all that information and learn from the good from the bad, you'll be better off.

More LSU News:

Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban Evaluate Lane Kiffin's Decision Amid LSU Football Push

Lane Kiffin 'Trending Toward Ending Up at LSU' As Tigers Pursue Coveted Head Coach

No. 1 Wide Receiver in Louisiana, LSU Football Commit Remains Locked in With Tigers

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