'Keep him away from the sorority girls': Lane Kiffin story from Nick Saban's Alabama days reveals surprising side of LSU coach
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'Keep him away from the sorority girls': Lane Kiffin story from Nick Saban's Alabama days reveals surprising side of LSU coach originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The LSU football program has remained one of the biggest topics ahead of the 2026 season. Since Lane Kiffin was picked up on the tarmac in Oxford, Miss. by Tigers officials, he's been public enemy No. 1 in several circles. Now that he's preparing for his high-profile debut at LSU, the heat has simmered down a bit. That was until Wednesday morning and the timing for Kiffin's haters is golden.
In a Vanity Fair excerpt from author John Talty's book "Lane Being Lane: The Story of Lane Kiffin," which is available on Sept. 15, 2026, we get to see the longtime coach's true colors from a different time in his life. A portion of the book details his time at Alabama on Nick Saban's staff in the mid-2010s.
Kiffin was suspected to be in the midst of a rough patch in life. He was accused of having an affair with his wife, Layla, who divorced him a decade ago, leaving Lane alone as a bachelor-type in Tuscaloosa. But they're back together after their 2016 divorce.
"While Kiffin would not be fired for “banging,” off-field behavior did reach Saban’s desk. Terry Saban, Nick’s wife, had heard through friends that Kiffin, then living separately from his wife Layla and his children who were in California, was out and about on the town trying to pick up women. It led Saban to tell at least one staff member to give Kiffin some helpful advice.
"You've got to keep Lane away from the girls that are in college," Saban said, according to one former coach. "Just keep him away from the sorority girls. Make sure they've graduated college or are working a job."
Layla and the kids never made the move to Tuscaloosa.
Kiffin was emotionally torn up by the entire situation and being away from his family, often riding a drunken roller-coaster to fill the gaps between coaching duties on the field. This took over his life to extremes only the people who truly knew him understood completely. He was deep in the south and spending money like he never had before.
“I used to say there’s a constant daily battle between who can take more of my money between Layla and Obama," Kiffin told Pete Thamel over a decade ago.
“I figured it out. I really don’t make any money. I pay around 52% percent in taxes. Layla gets 23.5% in the divorce, and [agent Jimmy Sexton] gets 3%. I make [about] 9%, and I’m living in Tuscaloosa.”
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Fast-forward to Kiffin's coaching life now that he's at LSU. The transition from Ole Miss was tumultuous after one of the best seasons in program history. After LSU fired Brian Kelly, Kiffin was targeted for the vacancy. The promise of more resources, elite athletes and the mentality to win now was key.
However, the drama Kiffin has brought to Baton Rouge is notable. Trying to bring former NFL players back against the wishes of the SEC is interesting. It's not going to work out in his favor, but he's still going to push the boundaries at every turn. Very similar tone to the way he's treated his entire coaching career. See how far everything can bend without breaking.
To add intrigue to the situation. Talty's book will be released the week of the Ole Miss-LSU game, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. Sit back, relax and get the popcorn ready. There's going to be fireworks.
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