© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Lane Kiffin is no longer the head football coach at Ole Miss. He can, however, benefit from the team’s success.
Kiffin will receive a payday if his former school secures a national title. He’s doing his part to provide the Rebels with the resources needed to win.
Kiffin bailed on Ole Miss after the Egg Bowl to accept the head coaching job at LSU. He landed a 7-year deal worth $91 million in the process.
His annual salary of $13 million makes him one of college football’s highest paid leaders. That new contract came with a unique provision.
If Ole Miss wins, so does Lane Kiffin.
LSU went all out to lure Kiffin to Baton Rouge. That included writing a clause into his deal to reward him for this season’s success in Oxford.
Kiffin will receive $1 million is the Rebels win a national championship.
Even though he left Ole Miss before the College Football Playoff, Kiffin can continue to earn incentives through its postseason run. LSU agreed to pay him what he “would have been entitled to receive” if he had stayed at Ole Miss during the CFP, including $150,000 if the Rebels play in the first round as expected or up to $1 million if they win the national championship.
LSU understood the ramifications of stealing the head coach away. One involved the possibility that he’d be unable to coach into the postseason, limiting the ability to cash in on contract incentives.
After learning of Kiffin’s decision, Ole Miss cut ties. They quickly named his replacement. He was not allowed to address the team before leaving. He will not coach another game.
The Rebels, which finished the year at 11-1, will make the College Football Playoff. Lane Kiffin won’t be in attendance, but one of his LSU staff members will.
Charlies Weis Jr. will return to Oxford.
— Charlie Weis Jr (@WeisJr_M) December 2, 2025
Kiffin gave his coaching staff an ultimatum upon leaving Ole Miss. Those that boarded the plane to Baton Rouge would have jobs. Those that didn’t would be left behind.
Weis left Oxford with his head coach. He reportedly signed a 3-year deal worth $6 million to move onto LSU. With that being said, he also wanted to finish out what could be a historic season in Mississippi.
Ole Miss AD Keith Carter spoke on the return this week. It’s something that had been previously discussed.
“Charlie Weis is a really, really good person,” Carter said. “He’s a really, really good offensive play caller. We’d been talking to Charlie about coming back and calling the plays. Charlie was committed to that from the very first moment.”
Kiffin gave him the OK.
Statement from Lane Kiffin on Charlie Weis Jr. returning to Ole Miss to coach in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/6tHtr9tqzZ
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) December 2, 2025
The decision to come back has many speculating on his future. Will Weis actually be on Kiffin’s staff in Baton Rouge next year?
That remains to be seen. We do know, however, that he will lead the Rebels’ offense in the postseason. That’s great news for Ole Miss.
Kiffin understood the impact the decision could have. He noted the Rebels’ improved playoff standing in his explanation. He also knows that it provides some sense of continuity in a time of disarray for players.
Weis’s presence on the sidelines will boost Ole Miss’s chances to win a national championship. Higher seeding should provide an easier path. Proven play calling will allow the offense to operate at the highest level.
If it all works out according to plan, the Rebels will win a national title. Lane Kiffin will be one of the beneficiaries.