LSU coaching rumors tracker: Latest news on Lane Kiffin, Jon Sumrall, more potential Brian Kelly replacements originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As fall turns to winter, the college football coaching carousel could be as busy as it's been in four years, if not longer.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was four years ago that LSU was one of many power players in the hiring cycle, snagging Brian Kelly from Notre Dame in a stunner. With Kelly fired amid a disappointing season, the Tigers could dictate the rest of the carousel when they land on their new head coach.
From eye-popping names like Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin, to up-and-coming candidates like Jon Sumrall, nothing can be ruled out in the SEC.
Kiffin is expected to release an update regarding his Ole Miss future as soon as next Saturday after the Rebels' joust with Mississippi State. Could he be eying a move to Baton Rouge?
The Sporting News is tracking the latest news and rumors from LSU's coaching search below.
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LSU coaching rumors tracker
Kiffin speaks on LSU/Florida rumors ahead of Egg Bowl
Date: Friday, November 28
Source: Lane Kiffin
Kiffin had his say on the rumors of his potential departure during a pre-game chat with SEC Network's Marty Smith. He didn't actually offer any tangible updates on his status, instead saying that the whispers that swirl around Ole Miss are "nothing new."
Eli Drinkwitz signs extension with Mizzou
Date: Nov. 27
Source:Missouri Athletics
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz signed a new six-year extension with an average annual compensations of $10.75 million. Drinkwitz's name had been mentioned as potential replacement for Lane Kiffin if he leaves for LSU but he is now off the market.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLSU narrows list of other candidates, but all eyes are on Kiffin
Date: Nov. 25
Source:The Advocate
The Advocate wrote a piece on Nov. 25 that had several interesting notes surrounding LSU's coaching search.
The newspaper reported that the school has compiled a list of other candidates aside from Kiffin, including Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz. But it added that Kiffin remains the school's main target. The report also ads that during a Kiffin family visit, excluding Lane himself, was spent looking at homes and touring local high schools. It added that Kiffin's daughter, Landry, attended a Tiger booster event last week.
The Advocate confirmed LSU has offered Kiffin a $13 million salary, which would make him college football's highest-paid head coach. The school is also prepared to commit $25-30 million per year for roster-building.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLSU appears to be main competition for Ole Miss
Date: Nov. 22
Source:Pete Thamel
Appearing on ESPN's 'College GameDay' on Saturday morning, Pete Thamel reported that the main competition for Ole Miss appears to be LSU. Thamel added that the Tigers have made Kiffin their sole focus, whereas Florida has cast a wide net and has met with multiple candidates face to face.
LSU believed to have momentum over Florida for Kiffin
Date: Nov. 22
Source:Matt Zenitz
According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and John Talty, Kiffin is an obvious candidate for both the open Florida and LSU jobs. But according to CBS Sports, LSU is believed to have the momentum to ultimately land the Rebels' coach.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLSU prepares $90M offer to lure Kiffin from Ole Miss
Date: Nov. 2
Source: Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger
According to Dellenger, LSU is prepared to offer Kiffin a seven-year contract worth $90 million in salary, along with $25 million in annual roster cash. The offer has reportedly already been approved by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.
Ole Miss' extension offer comparable to LSU, Florida's contract proposals
Date: Nov. 21
Source: ESPN's Mark Schlabach
The Rebels have already offered a lengthy contract extension to Kiffin, one that is similar in value to that of the offers LSU and Florida have put forward, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach. He'll get eight days to figure out his future, with Schlabach reporting that Ole Miss officials want time to prepare a transition plan in case Kiffin does depart.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnnouncement on Kiffin's future coming Nov. 29, per Ole Miss vice chancellor
Date: Nov. 21
Source: Ole Miss vice chancellor Keith Carter
Ole Miss vice chancellor Keith Carter vowed that an update on Kiffin's future will be provided on Saturday following the Rebels' bout with Mississippi State. The administrator released a statement on X urging calm as Ole Miss readies for its rivalry game.
"Despite the outside noise, Coach Kiffin is focused on preparing our team for the Egg Bowl, and together, we want to ensure that our players and coaches can concentrate fully on next Friday's game," Carter wrote. "An announcement on Coach Kiffin's future is expected the Saturday following the game.
If/when Kiffin hired at LSU, Ed Orgeron could join
Date: Nov. 21
Source: Matt Zenitz
According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, if Kiffin is hired by LSU, the school would be open to former head coach Ed Orgeron being on Kiffin's staff. The report didn't have a role in mind, whether as a coordinator or an advisor, but it did mention that Kiffin and Orgeron have a long-standing relationship.
Kiffin meeting with Ole Miss AD on Friday
Date: Nov. 20
Source: Chris Low
According to On3's Chris Low, Kiffin is set to meet with Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter on Friday:
NEWS: Ole Miss AD Keith Carter and head coach Kiffin are scheduled to meet this Friday, per Chris Lowe.STORY: https://t.co/jesyF2waguvia @on3sports | @clowfb
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) November 20, 2025
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We should have a further indication on where things stand with Kiffin and Ole Miss after this meeting, or so you'd think.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKiffin reiterates happiness in Oxford
Date: Nov. 19
Source:SEC Teleconference
Kiffin spoke with reporters on the weekly SEC Teleconference on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, he was asked several questions about his future. He played things coy, as expected:
Lane Kiffin: "I love it here. It's been amazing and we're in the greatest run in the history of Ole Miss at this point... I'm just living in the moment."
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 19, 2025
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He was also asked if he expects to be coaching at Ole Miss during the Rebels' rivalry game against Mississippi State. He responded in signature Lane fashion:
He also downplayed the timing of him being the subject of coaching rumors during Ole Miss' playoff run:
Lane Kiffin denies Ole Miss ultimatum rumor
Date: Nov. 18
Source: Pat McAfee Show
With rumors swirling linking Kiffin to Gainesville and Baton Rouge, reports surfaced that Ole Miss had given Kiffin an ultimatum about his coaching future. The Rebels have watched other coaching candidates sign long-term extensions, and supposedly wanted clarity from Kiffin.
The Ole Miss head coach said that the rumors that he was given an ultimatum by the school were "absolutely not true."
Kiffin family visits Gainesville, Baton Rouge
Date: Nov. 17
Source: New Orleans Advocate, On3
LSU picked up Kiffin's family members in a private plane on Monday and flew them to Baton Rouge to tour the city, the New Orleans Advocate/Times Picayune confirmed.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFans keeping an eye toward the skies first noticed a private jet flying from Oxford to Baton Rouge, and those rumors quickly turned to credible reports that the flight was related to LSU's pursuit of Kiffin. After rumors circulated about a potential visit to Gainesville on Sunday, On3 confirmed Kiffin's family indeed made that trip as well.
During the SEC Teleconference on Nov. 19, Kiffin was asked about the trips to both cities. Unsurprisingly, he declined to give specifics:
Lane Kiffin is asked about what his family learned on trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge"I'm not getting in on any specualtion or stories that have to do with other jobs."
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) November 19, 2025
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Jon Sumrall, Eli Drinkwitz could be LSU targets
Date: Nov. 17
Source: New Orleans Advocate
Tulane's Jon Sumrall and Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz could be LSU's next options if Kiffin decides not to make the move to Baton Rouge, the New Orleans Advocate/Times Picayune reports. Sumrall has also been heavily connected to Auburn, while Drinkwitz has Missouri at 7-3 on the season and has been in Columbia for six seasons.
Ole Miss looking for Kiffin resolution this week
Date: Nov. 17
Source: Pete Nakos, On3
Ole Miss is seeking a resolution on Kiffin's status with the program this week, On3's Pete Nakos reports.
The Rebels are in an awkward position, as they are likely headed to the College Football Playoff and would not see their season end for another month at the very earliest in that scenario. Kiffin, meanwhile, is already at the center of both the LSU and Florida coaching searches.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"If Lane Kiffin doesn’t meet deadline, Ole Miss would have to decide if it would allow him to coach in the playoffs," On3's Brett McMurphy reported.
Lane Kiffin the 'focus' of LSU search
Date: Nov. 17
Source: FootballScoop
While LSU reached out to Nick Saban to gauge his interest after firing Brian Kelly, Kiffin is now the focus of the Tigers' coaching search, FootballScoop reports.
"Many in the profession do not expect Lane to make that move as the bad blood doesn't feel like something Lane is into these days," the report adds, also confirming that some kind of a resolution could happen this week.
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