Lane Kiffin Cashes In as Former Ole Miss Team Advances in College Football Playoff
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Lane Kiffin may no longer be on the sidelines for Ole Miss, but the former Rebels head coach is reaping significant financial rewards as his old team advances through the College Football Playoff. After Ole Miss’s thrilling 39-34 victory over third-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Kiffin’s bonus earnings have surged, thanks to a unique contractual arrangement with his new employer, LSU.
The Rebels showcased their resilience and talent without Kiffin at the helm, with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Chambliss reflected on the team’s journey, saying, “A lot of people did doubt us before the season, and they still doubted us when our coach left. We just want to play ball and have fun, and I think that’s showing right now.”
While Kiffin’s departure to LSU was a significant storyline, the terms of his hiring deal have kept him financially tied to Ole Miss’s postseason success. According to reports from LSU Athletics, part of LSU’s agreement to bring Kiffin aboard included honoring his full bonus structure from Ole Miss. This means Kiffin has already earned $500,000 following the Rebels’ Sugar Bowl victory, with potential to earn up to $1 million if Ole Miss wins the national championship.
Kiffin’s bonus began with $150,000 for Ole Miss making the playoffs, increased to $250,000 after their first-round victory over Tulane, and doubled to $500,000 after the Sugar Bowl win. A semifinal victory over Miami would raise his bonus to $750,000, with the national title game victory pushing the total to $1 million.
Despite no longer coaching Ole Miss, Kiffin expressed enthusiasm for the team’s success on social media, posting on X, “What a great finish!!! So much fun!! Only two more to go,” tagging the Ole Miss football program. His support is both genuine and financially motivated.
Ole Miss’s advancement underscores the strength of the program Kiffin helped build, even as LSU looks to capitalize on his coaching acumen moving forward. The College Football Playoff continues to captivate fans nationwide, with the NCAA’s official site providing ongoing coverage of the tournament’s developments.
For more on the College Football Playoff and coaching contracts, visit the NCAA and the Sports Business Journal. The evolving landscape of college football coaching contracts highlights the complex financial arrangements that can follow coaches as they transition between programs.
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