As the college football regular season concludes and conference championships loom, Lane Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU is capturing headlines. Despite leading the Rebels to an impressive 11-1 record and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff, Kiffin has opted to join the LSU Tigers. Meanwhile, LSU is navigating a $54 million buyout lawsuit with their former coach, Brian Kelly. Kiffin, however, seems drawn to the opportunities in Baton Rouge, where he’ll be generously compensated for his expertise.

Wilson Alexander, an LSU beat writer, has revealed the details of Kiffin’s lucrative contract, which spans seven years and is valued at a whopping $91 million. Kiffin’s annual salary will be $13 million, placing him just behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who earns $13.28 million. Notably, Kiffin’s contract includes performance-based incentives that could add up to $4 million if the Tigers secure both the SEC championship and a national title in a single season. This could potentially make Kiffin the highest-paid coach in the college football realm.

The contract also features a buyout clause ensuring Kiffin receives 80% of his remaining salary if dismissed without cause. If this were to occur in the first year, Kiffin would be entitled to $72.8 million, paid in monthly installments through 2032, even if he secured another coaching position.

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Over his 14-year coaching career, Kiffin has amassed a 117-53 record, yet he has yet to claim a national championship—a goal LSU believes he can achieve. His tenure at Ole Miss has been particularly successful, with the Rebels securing at least 10 wins in four of the last five seasons, including a record-setting 11-win regular season this year. In 2023, Ole Miss also celebrated an 11-win total, highlighted by a Peach Bowl victory.

Despite this success, Kiffin will not be leading the Rebels through the postseason, as Ole Miss declined his request to coach during this period. Instead, Kiffin will immediately begin his tenure at LSU. The university plans to provide him with $25 to $30 million annually to enhance his roster through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. Under Kelly, LSU allocated around $18 million for their 2025 team, which resulted in a 7-5 season.

Kiffin’s decision to transition to LSU was influenced by multiple factors, including a persuasive call from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. The governor expressed strong support for Kiffin’s hiring, marking a shift from his previous criticism of LSU’s former athletic director Scott Woodward’s financial decisions, such as the costly contracts given to coaches like Jimbo Fisher, who is set to receive payments from a $76 million buyout until 2031.

“We are not doing that again. And you know what? I believe that we’re going to find a great coach,” Landry said during an Oct. 29 news conference. A month later, the school had found its replacement, offering an even wilder contract than what Kelly had.

It seems both Landry and the school are willing to make an exception for Kiffin. He just agreed to his contract over the weekend, and already, he has the weight of massive expectations on his shoulders.