Urban Meyer Criticizes Louisiana Governor Over Lane Kiffin Decision

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Urban Meyer Criticizes Louisiana Governor Over Lane Kiffin Decision

Recent developments in college football have thrust LSU and Governor Jeff Landry into the spotlight. Lane Kiffin, previously the head coach at Ole Miss, has signed a lucrative contract with the LSU Tigers, reportedly worth $91 million over seven years. This deal positions Kiffin among the highest-paid coaching figures in the sport.

Contract Details for Lane Kiffin

Kiffin’s contract guarantees him $13 million annually. Interestingly, if LSU decides to terminate his tenure before the contract’s expiration, he stands to receive 80% of the remaining amount. Such provisions stand in stark contrast to Governor Landry’s recent remarks on coaching contracts.

Governor Jeff Landry’s Reaction

Governor Jeff Landry expressed his dissatisfaction with the contract terms during a public statement. He highlighted the need for a “totally different contract” structure for LSU’s next head coach. His frustration stems from the buyout obligation concerning the previous head coach, Brian Kelly, who was owed $54 million after his firing earlier in the season.

Urban Meyer Criticizes LSU Over Kiffin’s Contract

In response to this situation, Urban Meyer, a prominent figure in college football, criticized LSU for deviating from Landry’s proposed guidelines. During an episode of “The Triple Option” podcast, Meyer remarked, “This is after the governor said we will not have those contracts again.” He specifically pointed out the contradiction between Landry’s statements and Kiffin’s guaranteed deal.

Performance Incentives in Kiffin’s Contract

In addition to his base salary, Kiffin’s contract contains performance incentives tied to Ole Miss’s upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) run. He will earn bonuses for team achievements identical to those in his previous Ole Miss agreement. These include:

  • $150,000 for participation in the first round
  • $250,000 for participating in the quarterfinal
  • $1 million for winning the national championship game

The final CFP rankings for Ole Miss will be determined during Selection Sunday on December 7.