Jimbo Fisher doesn’t expect LSU fans to be patient with Lane Kiffin
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The biggest move of the coaching carousel saw Lane Kiffin leave Ole Miss for LSU. The LSU football program has spent big bucks on buying out the former staff, hiring Kiffin and his new staff and making NIL deals to attract top talent out of high school and through the transfer portal to be a contender in 2027. With all that considered, expectations are high for Year 1 of the Kiffin era at LSU.
Jimbo Fisher, a former LSU assistant, was recently asked about Kiffin taking over in Baton Rouge. He told Westwood One Sports that Kiffin should not expect LSU fans to be patient.
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“There won’t be. And in most top schools, there is no (patience),” Fisher said.” I mean, if he just loses one, they’ll probably start, but if its gets to two or more, they’re going to be on you. That’s just the nature of the beast, and it is down there.”
Fisher, 60, is familiar with the LSU football culture. He was a Tigers assistant under Nick Saban and Les Miles from 2000 to 2006. In later years, he was linked to head coaching openings in the rumor mill, but remained at Florida State and Texas A&M as LSU made other hires.
The 2026 season kicks off the Kiffin era at LSU. It begins with a big one, as the Bayou Bengals take on the Clemson Tigers. As for whether Kiffin or Dabo Swinney is under more pressure entering Week 1, Fisher couldn’t make a call.
“Both of them,” Fisher said. “Everybody always asks which coach is under pressure. Well, I’m going to tell you what, lose one game and see what the pressure is on the next game.
“You’re always under pressure to win games. You know what I mean? Everybody says it was big for Dabo because they’re bouncing back, but it’s also being at LSU to make the right move with Lane.
“But the pressure of this game, whether you’re on top or the so-called on the hot seat, whatever that is, you know, it’s a big no matter what, because as soon as you lose in today’s world, they’re on you. So that’s part of the game.”
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
