Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU right before the College Football Playoff began. But he’s still making money from his former team’s success.
The Tigers agreed to pay Kiffin any bonuses he would have earned from Ole Miss’ playoff run, according to ESPN. It’s an unusual arrangement that keeps the controversial coach connected to the Rebels even after his departure.
Kiffin’s move to LSU became the biggest coaching story of the 2025 cycle when he left Oxford just as his team prepared for the playoffs.
Lane Kiffin LSU contract details
Years: 7
Amount: $13 million per year
The Advocate reported that Kiffin signed a seven-year, $91 million deal with LSU. The contract includes performance incentives and language requiring LSU to make him the highest-paid coach in the country if he wins a national championship.
The deal makes Kiffin one of college football’s highest-paid coaches. Only Georgia’s Kirby Smart earns more annually based on reported figures.
At Ole Miss, Kiffin made $9 million in 2025, per USA Today. That ranked him 11th among head coaches nationally.
He signed a six-year, $54 million extension with the Rebels in 2023.
How much does Lane Kiffin make for Ole Miss wins?
When Ole Miss beat Tulane in the first round, Kiffin received $250,000 from LSU, per Front Office Sports.
The deeper Ole Miss goes, the more money Kiffin makes.
Here’s the full bonus structure, per Front Office Sports:
• $150,000 for advancing to the first round
• $250,000 for reaching the quarterfinals
• $500,000 for reaching the semifinals
• $750,000 for reaching the national championship
• $1 million if Ole Miss wins the title
If the Rebels win it all, Kiffin could earn $2.65 million total from their playoff run while coaching a different team.
The arrangement highlights how quickly college football’s landscape changes. Coaches can leave for better opportunities even as their former teams chase championships.
