Few figures in college football generate as much attention as Lane Kiffin, and his arrival at LSU ensures that the spotlight will only intensify. Kiffin is not just stepping into a new job. He is stepping into a proving ground. His résumé suggests he is more than capable. During his six seasons at Ole Miss, Kiffin transformed the program from a middle-tier SEC team into a legitimate contender. He went 55-19, produced four double-digit win seasons and led the Rebels to their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. That level of success does not happen by accident. It also does not come without perception. Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss added complexity to his rise. By accepting the LSU job before the postseason, he left the program at its peak moment. Ole Miss still advanced to the semifinals with wins over Tulane and Georgia before falling to Miami, a result that reinforced the strength of the foundation he built while also raising questions about timing and loyalty.…