'Give Knox a hug': SEC commish pokes fun at LSU head coach Lane Kiffin at SEC media days

When speaking with reporters, Kiffin explained that his son Knox used a bit of reverse psychology to get him off social media apps, telling the longtime SEC coach, "There's no way you can get off social media."

"I bet I can," Kiffin responded, embracing the challenge.

His only post on social media since May 11 is a photograph with a bronze table-top tiger statue and Michael Jordan poster that reads, "They have no idea who you are becoming. Time to go ghost."

Kiffin, a man described as a "troll" by a reporter during an exchange with Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart, has consistently used social media in the past to poke fun at rival coaches, including former LSU coach Brian Kelly after his infamous tirade following a Week 1 loss to the Florida State Seminoles in 2024 and last year's loss to Ole Miss.

If he can succeed at staying offline, Kiffin might have no problem completing his other daunting task of returning LSU to prominence.

Since winning the program's most recent national championship in 2019, the Tigers are 47-29, ranking seventh among SEC programs in win percentage during the span, per Stathead. Last year, they went 3-5 in conference, only their third losing record against SEC competition since 2000.

During an 16-minute opening statement at the conference's media days, Kiffin revealed excitement over what LSU is building, not just for the future but also in 2026, noting he and his staff have "put together a roster that can win now."

LSU will be tested early when it hosts the Clemson Tigers in the second game of a home-and-home series. The Bayou Bengals won last year's meeting at Clemson, 17-10. The Tigers also travel to Ole Miss for the regular season's most anticipated game and host the Texas A&M Aggies in back-to-back weeks before the end of September then play the Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers during consecutive weeks in November.

With no social media distractions, Kiffin is all business heading into a circus-like atmosphere in Year 1 at LSU. If the Tigers, CFP contenders after a mammoth transfer portal haul, match or exceed expectations this season, Knox might be the season's MVP.