Brian Kelly's statement about Lane Kiffin's future at LSU says it all
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Brian Kelly's statement about Lane Kiffin's future at LSU says it all originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When Brian Kelly was fired at LSU, he reportedly walked out the door over $50 million richer. The crazy buyout second only to Jimbo Fisher's at Texas A&M wasn't easy to swallow for LSU. However, it was the first domino to eventually get Lane Kiffin in Baton Rouge.
At one point, LSU had three head football coaches on payroll last December. Kelly has yet to finalize his payout, Kiffin inked a massive 7-year, $91 million contract, and Ed Orgeron was in the final months of his buyout from the school after getting fired in 2021.
Despite being ousted from LSU, Kelly made a strong prediction about Kiffin's future and believes he'll win a national championship.
Former LSU coach Brian Kelly told USA Today he thinks Lane Kiffin will win a national championship at #LSU.
"I think so," Kelly said. "That wasn't yes… Here's why I would say yes, okay, I think that they have invested in NIL for him. They have given him the opportunity.… pic.twitter.com/bPJQafROiy
— Preston Guy (@PGuy77) May 5, 2026
"I think that they have invested in NIL for (Kiffin)," Kelly told USA TODAY Sports. "They have given him the opportunity. There's a lot of good things moving in that direction. The recruiting classes are really in solid shape. And I think Lane's a really smart football coach, so I think it's in a really good place, and I believe because there's an investment in that NIL he's going to be able to be Lane Kiffin.”
The hope was Kelly would've been the next coach to bring the Tigers to the promised land. However, that never happened after high expectations set in. Kiffin will try to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Nick Saban, and Orgeron, who are the last two coaches to guide the program to a title.
As for Kelly, the longtime coach is taking everything in stride with media gigs on the books, along with slowly trying to work his way back into coaching.
More College Football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Diego Pavia makes terrible mistake ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
- Todd McShay said the uncomfortable thing out loud about Diego Pavia
- Shedeur Sanders is all over social media after Colorado GPA surfaces following life milestone
- Bill Belichick, Jordon Hudson at Kentucky Derby leaves everyone saying the same thing
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos