LSU’s week took an unexpected turn on Friday, and it started with what looked like a simple scheduling note. The program had initially announced that Lane Kiffin would join ESPN’s College GameDay crew in Atlanta for the SEC Championship matchup. By the end of the week, that plan quietly unraveled and for reasons that had little to do with television.

“Welp had to stay in BR and still finishing some things out with players and a coach!! 🐯🐯” Lane Kiffin posted on X on December 5. “Won’t make it to Atlanta for @CollegeGameDay.”

Kiffin had to prioritize head coaching responsibilities afterward, thus the change of plans. Kiffin delivered the news hours after LSU secured the signature that defined its early signing class. And he’s none other than Lamar Brown, the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation.

Lamar Brown, LSU’s top target and a Louisiana native, officially signed on the final day of the early signing period. Lane Kiffin had visited him shortly after landing in Baton Rouge on Sunday, taking an on-brand early step to stabilize the new foundation of his roster. The 6’4, 285-pound athlete plays both offensive and defensive line, though he expects to develop as an offensive lineman.

LSU is also pursuing former Syracuse DC Elijah Robinson for its defensive line post. His recent demotion at Syracuse has not slowed LSU’s interest, as the Tigers attempt to overhaul their defensive infrastructure after two inconsistent seasons. But turns out that wasn’t necessary. 

Matt Zenitz reported that LSU DC Blake Baker, one of the most pursued assistants on the market, is expected to remain in Baton Rouge despite receiving interest from multiple programs seeking a HC. He was the steadying force behind LSU’s defensive shift, and retaining him was a priority for Lane Kiffin as he attempted to lock down the final pieces of his staff. And he responded to the news with another deliberate message.
“Sorry couldn’t make it to Atlanta, but so excited that I stayed to finish this all up!! @CoachBlakeBaker is going nowhere !!!! 🐯” he tweeted. “What a really long amazing Friday for @LSUfootball #ItsDifferent.”

The comment closed the loop on why he remained in Baton Rouge instead of appearing on College GameDay. But with success comes the urge to boast.

Lane Kiffin fanned the discourse earlier this week when he reposted a graphic boasting that he had “signed more 5 stars in 5 days at LSU than he did in 6 years at Ole Miss.” It was not subtle, and it sharpened the contrast between the tools he has now and the limitations he left behind. The Tigers added Brown, 5-star DL Richard Anderson, and eight four-star players including top-60 national prospect Deuce Geralds.

His contract reflects LSU’s investment. Lane Kiffin signed a seven-year deal worth roughly $91 million, an average near $13 million per year. According to reporting from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the school committed more than $25 million in NIL and revenue-sharing resources to its 2025 roster. Kiffin acknowledged that NIL structure influenced his decision. The result is that the Tigers closed early signing at No. 11 nationally while Ole Miss slid to No. 22 after multiple decommitments who followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge. And while LSU builds, the Rebels adjust to the fallout he left behind.

Cam Newton adds pressure to Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin fallout

Lane Kiffin exited Ole Miss with a 55-19 record, three straight double-digit win seasons, and an 11-1 finish in 2024. The timing of his departure remains the core of the criticism. The Rebels are preparing for their first CFP berth. Kiffin even pushed AD Keith Carter to let him coach the postseason, which was ultimately rejected. The rift intensified the perception that he already had one foot out well before the agreement became public.

Now, the broader question in Oxford is how a team competes at playoff intensity when its HC departs weeks before the semifinal? Former NFL QB Cam Newton believes some players may choose not to. On his 4th & 1 podcast, he suggested opt-outs could increase as players wait for transfer-portal eligibility on January 2. 

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“When you commit to a school, you don’t commit to the school,” he said. “You commit to the coach. So whenever that coach go, hey, roll out… A lot of them receivers are really about to go to Wide Receiver U.”

His comments add an external voice to concerns already present within the program. Keith Carter previously noted that “players were concerned about commitment,” signaling that trust had eroded across the roster. Program sources indicated players were “tired of the drama” and more worried about keeping position coaches than about Lane Kiffin’s desire to coach the postseason. Now, his decision to skip GameDay clarified his priorities and set the tone for his LSU tenure.