Kiffin Time

LSU begins new football era

By Jim Gazzolo

After the wildest of offseasons that included court cases, transfer challenges, and a spending spree like none other, LSU is ready to play some football – finally.

The Lane Kiffin era arrives in Baton Rouge officially Saturday night when the Tigers take on Clemson. 

What promises to be a wacky but never boring ride is fueled by a reported $40 million-plus roster. LSU backers have opened up their wallets to give Kiffin every possible reason to succeed. 

However, it is still unclear in this new world of college football if money can buy a school its way out of mediocrity and back into the national championship picture. LSU is betting big bucks that it can.

As for the next part of the court saga, it is still to be played out as the NCAA and college programs tussle over who is and who isn’t eligible.

The Tigers enter the Kiffin years – however long they last – ranked 13th in the nation. That puts them just outside the playoff picture, not exactly where LSU wants to be. 

Much more is expected by season’s end after the school gave Kiffin $91 million over the next seven years after buying out ex-coach Brian Kelly’s contract with another $54 million.

“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to lead the storied LSU Football program,” Kiffin said. “From national championships to iconic players, LSU is synonymous with excellence and is among the most powerful brands in all of sports.” 

Everyone knows how ugly Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss was, and nobody in Louisiana cares. His job now is to win and win big for a fanbase that is desperate to see its team be considered one of the country’s best.

No question Kiffin can coach, but whether he is the type of guy who can lead a bunch of newcomers through the wilderness of a long season is unclear. He was proving so last year when he jumped ship, or maybe was forced to walk the plank, at Ole Miss just as the playoffs were to begin.

“We came here to win and win now,” Kiffin said. 

To do that, Kiffin went shopping with LSU’s credit card in the offseason, bringing in 43 and still counting transfers. Some of them even dabbled with the NFL, but that’s a completely different story.

His biggest catch is quarterback Sam Leavitt, a breakout star at Arizona State two years ago. He heads an all-new QB room, but he too has some baggage.

Leavitt played just seven games last year because of a foot injury that required surgery. He needed surgery, and his health is key to LSU's season. 

In 2024, Leavitt threw for 2,820 yards and 24 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions. He also ran for 502 yards and five TDs without a fumble.

Under Kiffin and the new offensive coaching staff, Leavitt, if healthy, could have a huge season.

In his 24 games at ASU and Michigan State, Leavitt has gained more than 5,400 total yards and 46 touchdowns. 

There is plenty of talent joining Leavitt on LSU’s campus, but the real star of this show is Kiffin himself. He steals all the attention in any room he walks into.

The coach says he doesn’t like it that way, but you get the feeling that’s the main reason he came to LSU. 

Now we will find out if Tiger Cash is enough to make Kiffin happy and a champion. 

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers sports in Southwest Louisiana. He also hosts Poke Nation, which airs weekly on CBS Lake Charles.