NOW WATCH: Lane Kiffin named new head football coach for LSU Tigers
The LSU Tigers have officially announced the introduction of Lane Kiffin, who spent six years at Ole Miss, as their new head football coach.
sports pulse
The lane train stopped in H-Town.
LSU athletic director Virge Ausberry confirmed to WAFB’s Jacques Doucet before kickoff that new LSU football coach Lane Kiffin will be in attendance and do “media interviews” inside NRG Stadium for the Tigers’ game against Houston in the Texas Bowl.
Kiffin’s presence was teased by ABC’s former LSU defensive tackle Booger McFarland during halftime of the Poptarts Bowl between BYU and Georgia Tech. Kiffin also posted a photo of himself inside a private jet with an LSU pennant flag on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account earlier in the day.
It’s not unusual for an incoming coach to attend a bowl game for a new program, but this will be Kiffin’s first public appearance outside of his inaugural press conference since taking over the Tigers’ program from Brian Kelly.
Kiffin celebrated his first CFP win against Tulane on Saturday, Dec. 20, after leading the University of Mississippi to a 55-19 overall record in six seasons with his former program.
Here’s what you need to know about why Kiffin will be at NRG Stadium for LSU’s bowl game against Houston.
Why is Lane Kiffin in the Texas Bowl between LSU and Houston?
Kiffin is getting an early look at his new team’s activities, as the former Ole Miss coach was named Kelly’s replacement at LSU on Sunday, Nov. 30.
The veteran head coach was one of the most popular coaches on this coaching carousel, as he said during his induction press conference at LSU on Monday, Dec. 1, that he had four options, including remaining at Ole Miss and continuing to build the Rebels into a powerhouse.
He ultimately chose LSU.
“This is different. I’ve seen this place for a long time and from the other side. This is different. That’s why we’re here,” Kiffin said at his inaugural press conference.
He added, “On my way to the office, I passed by Tiger Stadium and it was lit up, and I thought, “I definitely made the right decision,” and all the (bad feelings) went away.”
Kiffin will be tasked with rebuilding the LSU program into a national championship contender, as the Tigers have missed the College Football Playoff every year since winning the 2020 national championship.
Who is coaching LSU in the Texas Bowl?
LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson is coaching the Tigers in the Texas Bowl against Houston on Dec. 27. Wilson was a longtime assistant coach at LSU over two different stints, leading the Tigers to a 2-2 mark since Woodward was promoted to interim head coach.
The Texas Bowl will be Wilson’s last game coaching at LSU, as he returns to Ole Miss to be on Pete Golding’s first staff at Oxford University. Wilson spent three seasons with the Rebels from 2005 to 2007 as a running backs and special teams coach. During a news conference in Houston on Friday, Dec. 26, Wilson said he was unable to reach an agreement with Kiffin to keep him in Baton Rouge, even though Kiffin “wants to find a way to work it out.”
