Why former Heisman winner says Lane Kiffin's growing pains are good for LSU

Why former Heisman winner says Lane Kiffin's growing pains are good for LSU

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Why former Heisman winner says Lane Kiffin's growing pains are good for LSU
Lane Kiffin

Why former Heisman winner says Lane Kiffin's growing pains are good for LSU originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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When Lane Kiffin stepped off the jet in Baton Rouge, the entire Tigers' fan base was juiced up to pull the hottest name in college football. However, his LSU Tigers tenure is off to a questionable start after Saturday's loss to the Ole Miss Rebels.

Kiffin's team of mostly transfers wasn't better than the other team he helped build. But one former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback believes this is only a bump in the road and the Tigers head coach will have long-term success.

"I think Lane Kiffin is good for LSU," Joe Burrow said during an interview with Julian Edelman on The Gronk & Jules Show. "I think you need somebody like that for LSU. You need somebody that doesn't care what people think. You know, he's gonna do what he thinks is best, and I think guys gravitate towards that.

"And in Louisiana, you kind of have to have a little chip on your shoulder like that. … The Coach O mentality, the Lane Kiffin mentality, I think bringing that is something that I think Louisiana needs. I think in the long run that will be successful."

Kiffin has been given all the tools to be successful immediately. A roster with a $50 million price tag, record contract and handpicked assistants. What more can LSU do but put trust in Kiffin to lead the program back to competing for a national championship. What he did at Ole Miss wasn't a fluke. Being able to build a roster from scratch and take the Rebels to new heights is the blueprint LSU is hoping to duplicate.

How he left Oxford was highly scrutinized due to it coming before the postseason started. However, there's not a perfect time to jump for another opportunity. With all that said, the Rebels defeated Kiffin's Tigers 32-24 behind an outstanding game from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

This is a point in the season where Ole Miss will show the nation what they're about. We'll also get a sense of which direction LSU is going after the loss. It's early and there would be nothing greater than having both teams rematch in the College Football Playoff.

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