It’s well known that the LSU Tigers always have NCAA championship expectations. Lane Kiffin’s arrival after his successful stint with the Rebels excites many, though the coach is keeping a cool head and prefers to keep his feet on the ground in Baton Rouge.
“Things don’t happen overnight,” Kiffin told reporters during his press conference. “It takes a lot of work to get a program up to an elite performing program level. And so we’re making some first steps, but there’s a ton of work to do.”
LSU finished last season with a record of 7 wins and 6 losses (3–5 SEC). Frank Wilson ended up coaching the team after Brian Kelly’s dismissal, and in 2026, the Tigers face a new challenge with Kiffin at the helm.
The new challenge for Kiffin
Lane Kiffin’s arrival at LSU in late 2025 sent shockwaves through college football, as he signed a massive seven-year, $91 million deal to lead the Tigers. His new challenge in Baton Rouge involves managing a roster with a reported $40 million NIL valuation while facing immediate “win-now” expectations.
Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Louisiana State Tigers.
With spring practices currently underway, Kiffin is tasked with restoring LSU to national championship contention in the ultra-competitive SEC. The Tigers will look to be crowned champions once again, something they haven’t achieved since 2019 with Joe Burrow leading the way.
The importance of new additions
While the Tigers have made significant additions, Kiffin knows there’s still plenty of work to be done. Sam Leavitt, coming off his latest stint at Arizona State, will be tasked with leading this team on the field.
“Like I’ve said before, we’ve assembled a good roster,” the HC said. “But at the same time, too, there’s a ton of work that goes into that to get the program back up to where everybody around here wants it to be and the reason we came here.
“It was 7-6 last season. So within that comes change. Within that comes a lot of work, because that’s a long jump to go to the level that I came here to get at and all the people around the program want to be at.”
Nussmeier’s departure
Garrett Nussmeier apologized to LSU upon leaving Lane Kiffin’s program, with his future potentially tied to the NFL. With meetings scheduled with the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and Indianapolis Colts, the quarterback is hopeful about taking the next big step in his career.
SurveyCan the Tigers become contenders under Lane Kiffin?
Can the Tigers become contenders under Lane Kiffin?
ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE
