Why is Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss for LSU? What coach said in announcement

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Lane Kiffin.

The Lane Kiffin sweepstakes are over, and LSU has won.

The Mississippi football coach has decided to leave Oxford and succeed Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge, he announced on his personal X account (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Nov. 30. LSU confirmed the decision later in the day.

Kiffin's decision comes two days after the Rebels picked up their first 11-win season in program history with a 38-19 defeat of Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. Kiffin spent the next day considering his options and reportedly met with Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter on Saturday, Nov. 29.

In his announcement, Kiffin said he will not coach the team in the College Football Playoff, "despite the team also asking Keith Carter to allow me to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance."

He ends his tenure with 55-19 record in six seasons at Ole Miss, which is ranked No. 7 in the College Football rankings. Multiple reports indicated Pete Golding, the Rebels defensive coordinator and linebackers coach since 2023, will take over as "permanent" head coach in 2026 and beyond. Golding served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Alabama from 2018-22.

LSU will be the fifth college stop for Kiffin in his head coaching career. He previously was with Tennessee, Southern California and Florida Atlantic.

Here's what Kiffin said of his decision to leave Ole Miss:

Why is Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss for LSU?

Kiffin described his decision to leave Ole Miss as "difficult." He also said he had hoped to finish coaching the team through the CFP, but that he was denied by Carter, adding that he is looking forward to a "unique opportunity" at LSU.

Kiffin later offered a statement on his move to LSU:

“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to lead the storied LSU Football program,” Kiffin said in a statement from LSU. “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!”

ESPN reported during halftime of the Miami-Pittsburgh game on Nov. 29 that Kiffin's decision to stay or leave Ole Miss was "not about money," and that his only mention of finances in discussions with both schools was about "accruing a great roster."

"He reiterated to me again this morning, 'It's not about money for me,'" ESPN's Marty Smith reported. "However, he did say the only financial discussions he's had with both schools are about accruing a great roster. 'How much money am I going to have to pay my players?' That's an important factor here."

Kiffin, in an Oct. 27 appearance on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show," said he has "never made a decision based on money." The former Rebels coach remained noncommittal on his coaching future following the Egg Bowl, both in his postgame news conference and in an immediate postgame interview.

"No, I haven't (made a decision). I've gotta lot of praying to do to figure it out tomorrow," Kiffin said on Nov. 28. "Right now, I'm going to enjoy these players."

Lane Kiffin buyout

According to his contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, Ole Miss is owed $4 million if Kiffin decides to leave the program.

Lane Kiffin record at Ole Miss

In his six seasons at Ole Miss, Kiffin led the Rebels to a 55-19 overall record while turning the Rebels into one of best programs in the SEC. Apart from a 5-5 record in the 2020 college football season — which was largely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic — Kiffin has led Ole Miss to bowl eligibility five times, including two New Year's Six bowls.

He has the Rebels positioned to make their first College Football Playoff berth this season at 11-1.