How Much Is LSU Willing to Spend on CFB Roster After Lane Kiffin Contract?
After hiring Lane Kiffin as head coach on Sunday, LSU is reportedly ready to spend big to help him create the roster he needs to help the program be successful.
Wilson Alexander of The Advocate in Baton Rouge reported that sources said that LSU "has also prepared to commit $25-30 million annually for Kiffin's roster through revenue sharing and name, image and likeness funds."
The financial commitment LSU reportedly has prepared for Kiffin is a major jump from what the university provided under former head coach Brian Kelly, as Alexander noted that it "spent about $18 million on the roster this season." The Tigers posted a 7-5 record, losing Saturday's regular-season finale against No. 8 Oklahoma 17-13.
LSU's roster spending will come in addition to the massive contract it gave to Kiffin, who reportedly will be making $13 million per year. The seven-year deal makes Kiffin the second-highest-paid coach in the nation behind only Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who made $13.3 million last year, per USA Today.
LSU also isn't done with its financial commitments to Kelly, who was paid $9.9 million annually and still had six years remaining on his contract when he was fired on Oct. 26 while being owed 90 percent of his remaining compensation. Last week, the university agreed to fire him without cause and pay his nearly $54 million buyout after he sued the school's board of supervisors.
Still, it appears that LSU is confident that Kiffin is the right person to rebuild the program in his vision, and the university is ready to do what it takes to lead the Tigers back to prominence.
