Lane Kiffin spent more than a decade rebuilding his career and his image after Southern Cal fired him. By last season, his career was soaring, and his likability had reached an all-time high. He was thriving at Mississippi.

Then, he became the hottest name in the college coaching carousel. You know the rest. He left Ole Miss on the playoff’s doorstep and became the coach at rival LSU. Now, he’s a college football villain again. How’s he handling that? We’ll hear from Kiffin on that very subject during today's episode with host Blake Toppmeyer.

Two weeks ago, Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin for an extensive interview in his office at LSU. This interview was right after the Vanity Fair piece published.

Kiffin admitted that the impact his exit had on his image has "really started to bother" him.

The scrutiny, though, has only just begin. He'll face daunting expectations in his first season at LSU.

Toppmeyer discusses with Kiffin how he plans to handle being in the villain role once again, a role he’s held previously but then pivoted away from at Ole Miss before taking the LSU job and shifting his character arc once again.

<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/21/lane-kiffin-hero-villain-lsu-football-ole-miss-exit/90141946007/" aria-label="Link Lane Kiffin">Lane Kiffin</a> spent more than a decade rebuilding his career and his image after Southern Cal fired him. By last season, his career was soaring, and his likability had reached an all-time high. He was thriving at Mississippi.
Then, he became the hottest name in the college coaching carousel. You know the rest. He left Ole Miss on the playoff&rsquo;s doorstep and became the coach at rival LSU. Now, he&rsquo;s a college football villain again. How&rsquo;s he handling that? We&rsquo;ll hear from Kiffin on that very subject during today's episode with <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link host Blake Toppmeyer">host Blake Toppmeyer</a>.
Two weeks ago, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/05/21/lane-kiffin-hero-villain-lsu-football-ole-miss-exit/90141946007/" aria-label="Link Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin">Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin</a> for an extensive interview in his office at LSU. This interview was right after the Vanity Fair piece published.
Kiffin admitted that the impact his exit had on his image has "really started to bother" him.
The scrutiny, though, has only just begin. He'll face daunting expectations in his first season at LSU.
Toppmeyer discusses with Kiffin how he plans to handle being in the villain role once again, a role he&rsquo;s held previously but then pivoted away from at Ole Miss before taking the LSU job and shifting his character arc once again.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

Lane Kiffin spent more than a decade rebuilding his career and his image after Southern Cal fired him. By last season, his career was soaring, and his likability had reached an all-time high. He was thriving at Mississippi. Then, he became the hottest name in the college coaching carousel. You know the rest. He left Ole Miss on the playoff’s doorstep and became the coach at rival LSU. Now, he’s a college football villain again. How’s he handling that? We’ll hear from Kiffin on that very subject during today's episode with host Blake Toppmeyer. Two weeks ago, Toppmeyer sat down with Kiffin for an extensive interview in his office at LSU. This interview was right after the Vanity Fair piece published. Kiffin admitted that the impact his exit had on his image has "really started to bother" him. The scrutiny, though, has only just begin. He'll face daunting expectations in his first season at LSU. Toppmeyer discusses with Kiffin how he plans to handle being in the villain role once again, a role he’s held previously but then pivoted away from at Ole Miss before taking the LSU job and shifting his character arc once again.