Robert Griffin III's blunt reaction to Lane Kiffin's decision wins in court of public opinion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Robert Griffin III delivered one of the strongest defenses of Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU, calling the move unavoidable given the financial stakes.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe former Heisman Trophy winner made his case on social media, arguing that Kiffin simply could not have turned down the offer placed in front of him. And really, would anyone want to under the same circumstances?
“Lane Kiffin did what was right for his family and his career,” Griffin III wrote on X. “No one is turning down 100 million to coach one of the most prestigious teams in college football.”
Kiffin finalized a seven-year, $91 million deal with LSU, averaging roughly $13 million annually. The contract instantly places him among the highest-paid coaches in the country, trailing only Georgia’s Kirby Smart and edging close to Ohio State’s Ryan Day. By comparison, Kiffin made about $9 million per year during his final season at Ole Miss.
The decision has generated heated reaction across the SEC, especially after Kiffin said during his introductory press conference that he “didn’t know the numbers” of his LSU contract and didn’t want to. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum blasted those comments as “pathetic,” arguing that appearing indifferent to compensation rang hollow.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, Griffin's stance was a hit with many fans who viewed Kiffin’s leap as a practical move in an escalating coaching market. The incentives could eventually push Kiffin to the top of the national salary list. Also, his buyout is set at 80 percent of the remaining contract with no offset.
With LSU paying out $54 million to former coach Brian Kelly, Kiffin steps into one of the most demanding and lucrative positions. He'll try to join college football’s small club of national championship coaches at the top end of the scale.
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