LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin. Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Ole Miss deserves better than ex-head coach Lane Kiffin crashing Sugar Bowl booth

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 8:03 AM ET

New LSU Tigers head football coach Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss just weeks ago, but he is reportedly planning to attend Thursday's Sugar Bowl between his former team and Georgia. That alone would raise eyebrows, considering the nature of his departure.

However, according to On3's Chris Low, Kiffin has taken things a step further by reaching out to ESPN personnel about appearing in the broadcast booth during the game. ESPN hasn't been receptive to the idea, per Low.

The request itself shows a stunning lack of awareness about how his presence would overshadow the players he recruited and coached.

Ole Miss is in the middle of its first College Football Playoff run in program history, and the last thing anyone in Oxford wants is their former coach making himself the center of attention while their team tries to advance.

Kiffin already appeared on ESPN's broadcast during LSU's Texas Bowl loss to Houston on Saturday, where he praised his former players and discussed his transition to Baton Rouge. Now he apparently wants more airtime.

Lane Kiffin joins the ESPN booth during the #LSU-Houston Texas Bowl game. pic.twitter.com/G94tt7UCZ8
— TigerBait (@tigerbaitcom) December 28, 2025

Lane Kiffin already got his ESPN moment during Texas Bowl

The LSU coach sat in the booth with Tom Hart and Cole Cubelic during the second quarter of the Kinder's Texas Bowl on Dec. 27.

He talked about watching Ole Miss beat Tulane in the first round and called it "the biggest game in the history of the state of Mississippi."

Kiffin spent roughly eight minutes discussing how his current LSU staff members are splitting time between Baton Rouge and Oxford, helping the Rebels during their playoff push while also building his new program.

The appearance was awkward enough on its own, given that LSU was actually playing in the game he was supposed to be invested in. It got worse when cameras caught him leaving the stadium shortly after his interview segment, not sticking around to watch his new team finish a game it eventually lost 38-35.

Ole Miss Rebels deserve better than their ex-coach appearing in the broadcast booth

Ole Miss athletic department officials didn't allow Kiffin to coach the team through the playoffs after he took the LSU job, reportedly out of concern he would use the opportunity to recruit players to follow him.

Those concerns proved justified. Multiple assistants, including defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who was promoted to head coach, are dealing with staff members who have already committed to joining Kiffin in Baton Rouge. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, receivers coach George McDonald, inside receivers coach Sawyer Jordan, strength coach Nick Savage and executive director of player personnel Mike Williams all agreed to terms with LSU. Additionally, Kiffin's brother Chris — a defensive analyst for Ole Miss — is also joining the Tigers.

Lane Kiffin was scheduled to appear on ESPN's "College GameDay" in early December but canceled at the last minute, with host Rece Davis noting their questions would "have to wait." Now he apparently wants another platform.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry could also attend the Sugar Bowl with Kiffin, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

Olamilekan Ajayi

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