This former college football power chased after…
The Florida State Seminoles quietly entered the race for Lane Kiffin before the former Ole Miss football coach took his abilities to LSU, according to ESPN.
Florida State athletic director Michael Alford was wooing Kiffin behind the scenes last month at the same time SEC rivals Florida and LSU have been recruiting the coach, sources acquainted with the search told the outlet.
The Seminoles then announced on Nov. 23 that embattled coach Mike Norvell could be back for a seventh season after it turned clear Kiffin wasn’t .
LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin speaks at his introductory press convention at South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium on December 1, 2025. Getty Images
Kiffin and Alford labored together at USC in the early 2000s.
The Seminoles would have owed Norvell about $54 million if they fired him without trigger, plus another $18 million to repay his assistants.
During his introductory press convention at LSU on Monday, Kiffin repeated a number of instances that there have been 4 faculties he thought of.
Kiffin was at the middle of a teaching drama that dragged on for months before he agreed to a seven-year contract with LSU that pays him $13 million yearly.
Florida State coach Mike Norvell. Getty Images
The Tigers and Gators both focused the sought-after coach after firing their respective coaches, Brian Kelly and Billy Napier, in October.
Florida dropped out of the sweepstakes last week and employed former Tulane coach Jon Sumrall.
Kiffin announced Sunday he was taking his abilities to the SEC rival, two days after the Rebels’ 38-19 Egg Bowl victory over Mississippi State.
LSU Head Football Coach Lane Kiffin, Athletics Director Verge Ausberry, and LSU President Wade Rousse pose for a image after his first press convention at Tiger Stadium’s South Stadium Club in Baton Rouge on December 1, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
Several Ole Miss gamers called out Kiffin on social media, refuting his claims that they requested the administration to permit him to coach the Rebels through the College Football Playoff.
During a Wednesday look on “SuperTalk Mississippi,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter questioned some issues Kiffin said at his press convention in Baton Rouge — particularly his declare that he wasn’t told until Sunday morning that he would not have the opportunity to coach Ole Miss through the CFP.
“There’s been a lot of things that he’s said publicly that I’m not sure are totally accurate,” Carter said.
“I think both coach and his representation knew several weeks ago that coaching in the playoffs was not going to be an option, if he was not the Ole Miss head coach.”
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding was promoted to coach the 11-1 Rebels completely.
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