The college football season is within arm’s reach, and there are plenty of new faces in big spaces heading into the upcoming season. This past head-coaching cycle saw some big names take over some of the biggest jobs in the sport, including one coach who is known for the wrong reasons.
Lane Kiffin is arguably the biggest name facing the most pressure. He left Ole Miss to take over the LSU Tigers in what was borderline disgraceful timing. Ole Miss, of course, was in the middle of a College Football Playoff run when Kiffin left town.
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Paul Finebaum has previously defended Kiffin against some of the expectations placed on him. However, Finebaum made it clear during a recent podcast appearance how he really feels about the LSU head coach.
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“One thing about Lane Kiffin, as starry as his character has shown to be, he has this innate ability to make a fan base fall in love with him .. The reality was that Ole Miss fans believed everything he said. He’s like a cult leader. Lane doesn’t hand out drinks of poison like Jim Jones 40 years ago. But he does have this ability.” Finebaum said.
NCAA Football: Auburn at Texas A&M
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; SEC Nation Roman Harper (left) and Paul Finebaum (right) speak on the sideline during pre-game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
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“And I mean, people wanted to fight you on the streets of the square: ‘How could you dare say he’s going to leave?’ And now they want to kill the guy. Same thing happened in Tennessee … Lane Kiffin will have excuses ready to go”
Cult leader Kiffin?
Finebaum’s comparison is certainly harsh, but Kiffin’s history makes it easy to understand where the sentiment comes from. He has developed a reputation for saying the right things to win over a fan base, only to leave when a bigger opportunity comes along.
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That history followed him from Tennessee to USC and, most recently, Ole Miss. Kiffin rebuilt his reputation in Oxford, turning the Rebels into a contender and one of the SEC’s most entertaining programs. He also became one of the most recognizable coaches in college football.
An LSU fan holds a cutout of Lane Kiffin following the win over Ole Miss in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy
An LSU fan holds a cutout of Lane Kiffin following the win over Ole Miss in a NCAA women’s college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
That success made his decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU even more controversial. Kiffin did not simply leave for another job during the offseason. He departed while the Rebels were still pursuing a national championship, leaving fans to watch their coach walk away during the most important stretch in program history.
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Now, Kiffin faces a completely different challenge at LSU. The Tigers expect to compete for championships, and patience will likely be limited if the program falls short of those expectations.
Whether Finebaum’s “cult leader” comparison sticks is up for debate. What isn’t debatable is that Kiffin has repeatedly shown an ability to win over fan bases. The question at LSU is whether he can turn that loyalty into sustained success before the next opportunity comes calling.
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