The final day of SEC Media Days took place on Thursday, with both Texas and LSU addressing the media.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about Lane Kiffin during his media appearance on Thursday ahead of Kiffin’s first season in Baton Rouge after leaving Ole Miss for LSU.
Sarkisian spent one season on the same coaching staff as Kiffin in 2016 when both worked under Nick Saban at Alabama.
Steve Sarkisian Praises Lane Kiffin
Sarkisian had nothing but praise for Kiffin, saying he was “very proud” of the personal changes Kiffin has made to better himself.
“Lane’s a really good coach,” Sarkisian said. “Everywhere he’s been there’s been success. Obviously, the most recent success of what he’s had at Ole Miss. He’s always going to assemble a talented roster, he’s always going to be creative… he does not look at things traditionally. He’s always going to think outside the box… so I expect him to continue to do that at LSU.
“I’m very proud of Lane. I know he’s made a lot of changes personally. I’m really proud of him, and I think those personal changes have led to on-field success.”
Steve Sarkisian on Lane Kiffin:
“He’s always gonna try to think outside the box to find a unique way to accomplish something. I expect him to continue to do that at LSU. Now he’s got more resources… I’m very proud of Lane. I know he’s made a lot of changes personally.” pic.twitter.com/q7pmBfSIdK
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) July 23, 2026
Texas Travels to Baton Rouge
Sarkisian and Kiffin have faced each other just three times as head coaches, all while leading Washington and USC, respectively, in the Pac-12.
This season, they’ll meet for the first time as SEC head coaches when Texas travels to Baton Rouge on Nov. 14 for what could become a pivotal late-season conference matchup with College Football Playoff implications.
Steve Sarkisian Makes His Feelings on LSU’s Lane Kiffin Extremely Clear