LSU to pay bonus to Lane Kiffin based on Ole Miss’ CFP success

Lane Kiffin’s contract with LSU includes a unique clause that he will receive payment equal to the amount he earns for coaching Ole Miss in the upcoming College Football Playoff, according to a term sheet obtained by ESPN on Monday.

Kiffin, who agreed to a seven-year contract with LSU on Sunday that will pay him $13 million annually, will receive the same CFP bonus from LSU that he would have received had he remained with Ole Miss this postseason. It starts at $150,000 for the Rebels’ participation in a first-round CFP game, increases to $250,000 for participation in the quarterfinals and tops $1 million if Ole Miss wins the national championship.

Kiffin had hoped to coach the Rebels (11-1) through their first CFP appearance, but Ole Miss opted for a clean break and promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach on Sunday.

Kiffin must be paid a CFP bonus payment from LSU within 30 days of the Rebels’ season ending, according to the term sheet, which Kiffin and LSU officials signed on Saturday.

Another notable clause stated that Kiffin would become the highest-paid coach in the country if LSU wins a national championship during his tenure as coach. The escalator would occur only once during Kiffin’s tenure with LSU, on a day when the team won a national title.

LSU last week agreed to pay former coach Brian Kelly the full $54 million he was owed after firing him on Oct. 26. The school is also set to make its final payment this month to former coach Ed Orgeron, who led the Tigers to a national title in 2019 and was fired in 2021.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly criticized Kelly’s contract and its structure following the coach’s firing, as well as athletic director Scott Woodward, who resigned from his position soon after.

If Kiffin is fired without cause during his seven-year tenure with LSU, he will be owed 80% of his remaining salary — an amount that is not subject to offset or mitigation, according to the term sheet. If Kiffin leaves LSU for another head coaching job, his buyout will start at $7 million and drop to $6 million in January 2027.

LSU will pay Kiffin a $1 million bonus for winning the SEC title game, and a CFP structure that starts at $750,000 for a first-round appearance and increases to $3 million for a national title win. The school will also cover the difference between the purchase price of their home in Mississippi ($2.89 million) and a new elementary home in the Baton Rouge area – up to $500,000.