In the world of college football, one of the most captivating narratives this season revolved around the future of Lane Kiffin. At 50, Kiffin had steered Ole Miss to an unprecedented 11-win regular season and secured a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, in a surprising twist, Kiffin accepted a lucrative offer from the LSU Tigers, with a contract worth $13 million annually and a substantial buyout clause.

Kiffin expressed a desire to continue coaching the Rebels through the playoff series, but the Ole Miss administration had other plans, appointing Pete Golding as the new head coach for the postseason. Under Golding’s leadership, the Rebels convincingly defeated the Tulane Green Wave 41-10, a performance echoing their Week 4 win over Tulane, where Kiffin guided Ole Miss to a 45-10 victory.

Kiffin congratulated his former team on X. He’s no doubt excited to see the team he coached doing well. A win for Ole Miss is also a win for him financially, since his contract includes performance bonuses. Reaching the playoff came with a $150,000 bonus. Winning the first-round game bumps that payment up to $250,000. And because this whole coaching saga has been so bizarre, it’s Kiffin’s new team that’s on the hook for the payment.

Justin Ford/Getty Images

Despite his departure, Kiffin stands to gain financially, as LSU is set to pay him a $250,000 bonus, with the potential to earn up to $1 million depending on the Rebels’ playoff journey. Should Ole Miss manage an upset over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, Kiffin would receive an additional $250,000, totaling $500,000. The Rebels’ sole defeat this season was at the hands of Georgia, a 43-35 loss on October 18, a match where Kiffin was still on the sidelines. He will undoubtedly be watching closely if a rematch unfolds.

If Ole Miss defeats Georgia, they would advance to the semifinals and face either the Miami Hurricanes or the Ohio State Buckeyes. A victory there would net Kiffin another $250,000. Furthermore, if the Rebels capture their first national championship since 1962, Kiffin’s earnings from LSU could balloon to $1 million. Here’s a simplified breakdown of his potential financial windfall:

• College Football Playoff appearance: $150,000
• CFP Quarterfinal appearance: $250,000
• CFP Semifinal appearance: $500,000
• National Championship Game appearance: $750,000
• National Championship: $1 million

With their recent postseason victory, Ole Miss has already made history by achieving a record 12 wins in a single season. Kiffin hopes the team will push even further in the playoffs.

As for LSU, the university seems ready to invest heavily in its new head coach. A few hundred thousand to a million dollars seems a small price to pay for what they believe Kiffin will bring to their program.