Did Nick Saban help LSU land Lane Kiffin?

Lane Kiffin says LSU is 'just different'

Kiffin repeatedly made reference on Monday to LSU being "different" from other football schools. Before he spoke about the influence Saban had on his decision, Kiffin said he was told by "someone very close to me" that there is no better job in college football than coaching the Tigers.

"When you take the history, tradition, the passion and the great players in the state of Louisiana ... no one can argue that when you're in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night, there is nothing like it," Kiffin said.

It is possible Saban is the one who told Kiffin that, as well. Saban coached at LSU from 2000-04 and won a national championship with the school. He then left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, which was ultimately a failed experiment. He returned to college football in 2007 when he was hired by Alabama, and he won six more titles with the Crimson Tide before retiring in 2023.

There is no telling how long Saban would have remained at LSU had he not been drawn to the NFL. It is possible he never would have left.

Saban has long said that Tiger Stadium, which is commonly known as "Death Valley," is the hardest place to play in college football. He has meant that as a compliment, so it would not be a surprise if he told Kiffin there is no better place to coach. Just don't expect Saban to ever admit it.