Lane Kiffin recalls Nick Saban message that tipped scales to LSU: ‘That really made the decision for me’
By Andrew Olson
Published:
LSU has a complicated history with Nick Saban, but the former Tiger coach-turned-rival played a valuable role in the pursuit of Lane Kiffin. In fact, Kiffin credits a message from Saban with making the decision for him.
Speaking Tuesday at The Leadership Power Breakfast hosted by The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, Kiffin recalled how a message from his former boss at Alabama was a deciding factor in his big decision.
“I told the story at the press conference, you know, I was, I was torn. And when I called Coach Saban and talked it through with him, he said, ‘You know, Lane, you’ll always regret if you don’t go to LSU. It’s the best job in America.’ And when he said that, that really made the decision for me.
And as I’ve looked at it, it has pushed me. It has got me out of a comfort zone that we were doing amazing things, but you come here and you feel the power of the place and it drives you every day to even go to another level.
"You'll always regret, if you don't go to LSU. It's the best job in America."
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) January 20, 2026
Nick Saban to @Lane_Kiffin during #LSU effort to land Kiffin as the new @LSUfootball head coach.
"When he said that, that really made the decision for me." @WAFB pic.twitter.com/Oo6VxzwY1F
Kiffin’s time at Alabama under Saban (2014-16) is credited with helping get his coaching career back on track after his dismissal from USC. In addition to Saban, Kiffin also sought advice from Pete Carroll, his USC boss, while making the decision whether to take the LSU job.
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.
