LSU football will have a year-one head coach in 2026 with Lane Kiffin leading the way. Kiffin is no stranger to the head coaching position after serving in the role at USC, FAU, and then spending six years at the helm of Ole Miss.
The coaching carousel was a busy one this winter. Several major programs made changes, shifting the coaching landscape in the sport. That includes a handful of SEC teams.
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That means Kiffin won’t be alone on his year-one journey. The LSU schedule includes four teams led by coaches in their first year.
That includes Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss, when LSU travels to face Pete Golding and the Rebels in what will be one of the most anticipated matchups in the sport all year. Golding, who was Kiffin’s DC, was promoted to head coach and led Ole Miss in the playoff, but in reality, 2026 is Golding’s true year one.
A few weeks after the Ole Miss trip, LSU will hit the road to face Kentucky. The Wildcats tabbed former Oregon OC Will Stein as their new head coach in December.
Later in the year, LSU has dates with Auburn and Arkansas. Auburn hired USF’s Alex Golesh while Arkansas turned to Memphis’ Ryan Silverfield.
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2026 Season Schedule
Sat, Sep 5
HOME
vs Clemson
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, La.
Sat, Sep 12
HOME
vs Louisiana Tech
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, La.
Sat, Sep 19
AWAY
@ Ole Miss
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Oxford, Miss.
Sat, Sep 26
HOME
vs Texas A&M
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, La.
Sat, Oct 3
HOME
vs McNeese
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, La.
Sat, Oct 10
AWAY
@ Kentucky
Kroger Field
Lexington, Ky.
Sat, Oct 17
HOME
vs Mississippi State
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, La.
Sat, Oct 24
AWAY
@ Auburn
Jordan-Hare Stadium
Auburn, Ala.
Sat, Nov 7
HOME
vs Alabama
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, La.
Sat, Nov 14
HOME
vs Texas
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, La.
Sat, Nov 21
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AWAY
@ Tennessee
Neyland Stadium
Knoxville, Tenn.
Sat, Nov 28
AWAY
@ Arkansas
Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Fayetteville, Ark.
Ole Miss did a good job retaining talent after Kiffin’s depature, but the other three teams listed went heavy on the transfer portal.
Given how much LSU spent in the portal and the sheer volume of talent arriving in Baton Rouge, the Tigers will be decent favorites vs. Kentucky, Auburn, and Arkansas (assuming all goes to plan).
LSU being favored in the Ole Miss game is far from a given, though, especially with the Rebels now returning quarterback Trinidad Chamblis.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU Football Schedule: How many first year head coaches will LSU play?
