ESPN
Lane Kiffin is kicking off his tenure at LSU in style despite being at the center of controversy.
Over the past week, Kiffin has faced serious blowback from the SEC after attempting to sign three former NFL players to his roster.
On Saturday, Kiffin appeared on College GameDay to defend his position.
“As much as I feel for the players, and I believe that you fight for what you believe in, and I believe that, you know, these kids have an opportunity to play, just like all of the other kids around the country that are winning court cases and being put on rosters,” Kiffin said. “But the same time, I’m the head coach at LSU and I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU and the LSU football program, with the uncertainties of what potentially could’ve come by adding them to the roster.”
“That wasn’t easy. As much as I feel for the players … I had to make a decision that is for the big picture of LSU.”
Lane Kiffin on the decision to not roster Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris for today’s game against Clemson. pic.twitter.com/iPVHJTYoav
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 5, 2026
Before LSU’s game against Clemson, Kiffin got a rockstar welcome when he walked out with celebrities Livvy Dunne, Theo Von & Brooks Nader.
The combo we didn’t know we needed 🐯
Lane Kiffin, Livvy Dunne and Theo Von have arrived for Clemson-LSU 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XeYHbJupNi
— ESPN (@espn) September 5, 2026