IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The SEC isn’t happy with Lane Kiffin right now.
For the past two weeks, Kiffin has shown interest in signing two former NFL players who were recently cut from NFL training camps but had won temporary restraining orders from a judge allowing them to play in college.
The SEC immediately filed a lawsuit to block the players from playing for Kiffin.
Over the weekend, Kiffin joked about the ordeal during halftime of the LSU-Clemson game while his team was up 31-3.
“Imagine if we had pro players.” 😅
Lane Kiffin is not holding back. pic.twitter.com/OzHEZqw1UW
— ESPN (@espn) September 6, 2026
On Tuesday, the SEC filed an amendment to its lawsuit seeking authority to expel LSU from the conference if Kiffin signed former NFL players to the school’s roster.
Via Pete Thamel
“The SEC filed an amendment to its federal lawsuit against LSU, Lane Kiffin and school officials on Tuesday, which seeks the authority for the SEC to expel LSU from the league. The SEC is not expected to take such action, but the filing indicates the seriousness of the league as it attempts to affirm the legal right to enforce its own rules.”
The SEC has scheduled a meeting Thursday to “decide whether to terminate Louisiana State University (“LSU”) as an SEC member institution pursuant to Section 3.1.5 of the SEC Constitution and Bylaw.” https://t.co/50wSMQ25Pg pic.twitter.com/mpp5aGES3H
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 8, 2026
The SEC cited Kiffin’s halftime joke in their court filing.
From the SEC’s filing. It quotes Lane Kiffin’s halftime statements to ABC: “Imagine if we had pro players.” And it says that, postgame comments and silence from President Wade Rousse: “confirm the lack of institutional control over the athletics program at LSU that is required… pic.twitter.com/O2KJkJ4yGl
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 8, 2026
Apparently, the SEC is serious about kicking LSU out of the conference if it moves forward with playing the former NFL players.
As I reported @CBSSports on Saturday “Multiple sources believed that if LSU refused to deescalate the situation, the votes were there to expel the institution should that be the path the SEC’s leaders decided on.”https://t.co/P8vt8dTkZ3 https://t.co/kElEvepkXy
— John Talty (@JTalty) September 8, 2026