SEC: LSU has demonstrated complete lack of control over Lane Kiffin’s actions
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Week 1 of the college football season has passed without LSU playing either of the enrolled athletes who returned to college after being cut from preseason NFL rosters. That wasn’t enough to end the legal fight between the SEC and LSU.
On Tuesday, the SEC filed an amendment to its lawsuit against LSU seeking to establish the authority to expel the school from the conference, revealing that the conference has set a meeting for Sept. 10 to discuss LSU’s membership.
Another headline-grabbing item from the new filing is the SEC calling out LSU for lack of institutional control and lacking control over Lane Kiffin.
“The consensus at the September 4 meeting was and continues to be that LSU’s demonstrated lack of institutional control at the university level-including complete lack of control over Coach Kiffin’s actions — and other conduct alleged herein that is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the Conference as set forth in Section 1.2 of the Constitution, made it imperative for a meeting to be called to consider the termination of LSU’s membership in the Conference pursuant,” the complaint states, per Pete Nakos of On3.
Two of Kiffin’s former Ole Miss players are enrolled at LSU after being cut from NFL preseason rosters. Zxavian Harris committed to LSU football after being waived by the New Orleans Saints. Dae’Quan Wright’s commitment followed his departure from the Cleveland Browns. The SEC’s suit also called out the recruitment of Jack Pyburn, an LSU player under Brian Kelly who was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs instead of returning to LSU.
Both players received court orders to apply the NCAA’s new 5-in-5 policy for 5th years of collegiate eligibility. SEC policy, however, states that league members are not permitted to roster players who declared for the NFL Draft (and did not withdraw), signed an NFL contract or have been listed on an NFL roster.
When Friday’s deadline arrived for LSU to submit its Week 1 roster, Kiffin opted not to roster Harris or Wright. LSU went on to defeat Clemson 51-10. After his interview, when LSU led 31-3, Kiffin told ESPN’s Holly Rowe, “Imagine if we had pro players.”
"Imagine if we had pro players." 😅
— ESPN (@espn) September 6, 2026
Lane Kiffin is not holding back. pic.twitter.com/OzHEZqw1UW
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
