BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – LSU has released the full term sheet for new head football coach Lane Kiffin, revealing a massive seven-year deal worth more than $13 million annually and containing some of the most aggressive protections and incentives in college football.

Kiffin’s contract officially runs from Nov. 30, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2032, according to the document.

Kiffin will earn:

• Base salary: $400,000 annually
• Supplemental compensation: $12.6 million annually

Together, that places his total annual compensation at $13 million, paid monthly.

National Championship escalator

If LSU wins a College Football Playoff national championship during the term, Kiffin’s salary automatically increases for the remainder of the deal so that he exceeds the highest-paid coach in college football, but this escalator can only be triggered once .

Buyouts and termination protections

LSU must pay 80% of all remaining salary if it fires Kiffin without cause.

Kiffin does not have to mitigate that amount, and LSU cannot reduce payments if he takes another job.

If Kiffin leaves for another college head coaching job, he owes LSU:

• $7 million if he leaves before Dec. 31, 2026
• $6 million (2027)
• $5 million (2028)
• $3 million (2029)
• $2 million (2030)
• $1.5 million (2031)

These amounts are cut in half if Verge Ausberry is no longer athletics director at the time of Kiffin’s departure.

Postseason incentives

Kiffin can earn up to $4 million in postseason bonuses :

• SEC Championship Game appearance: $500,000
• SEC Championship win: $1 million
• Non-CFP bowl: $100,000
• CFP First Round: $750,000
• CFP Quarterfinal: $1 million
• CFP Semifinal: $1.5 million
• CFP Championship Game: $2 million
• Win National Championship: $3 million

Coaching awards

• SEC Coach of the Year: $50,000
• National Coach of the Year: $75,000 (tied to awards such as Eddie Robinson, Walter Camp, AP, AFCA, etc.)

Perks and benefits

Kiffin receives:

• 65 hours of private jet time per year (personal use; rollover allowed)
• Temporary housing for 90 days
• Courtesy vehicle(s)
• Private suite + priority tickets for all LSU football games
• Club membership
• Family and guest travel
• Private or first-class air travel for recruiting

Kiffin also receives a relocation incentive, with a final amount still being negotiated.

Oxford house buyout relief

LSU will cover up to $500,000 to make up the difference if Kiffin sells his Oxford home at a loss (initial purchase: $2.89 million).

Covered postseason money from Ole Miss

LSU will pay Kiffin what he would have earned had he stayed at Ole Miss through the 2025-26 CFP:

• $150,000 for Round 1
• $250,000 for Quarterfinal
• $500,000 for Semifinal
• $750,000 for Championship Game
• $1 million if Ole Miss wins the national title.

These payments will come from LSU-affiliated foundation funds.

Authority and staffing

Kiffin has full authority, with AD approval, to hire, fire, and manage all assistant coaches and staff within the football program.

Final approval

The contract is contingent on:

• A satisfactory background check
• Approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors

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