Lane Kiffin to Miss LSU’s Bowl Game; Frank Wilson Steps In
The LSU Tigers will face the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl on December 27, 2023. However, notable changes have occurred within the coaching staff, as Lane Kiffin will not be on the sidelines for this crucial matchup. Instead, Frank Wilson, currently serving as the interim head coach, will lead the team.
This season has been particularly tumultuous for the Tigers, who finished with a record of 7-5. Following the midseason firing of head coach Brian Kelly, Kiffin, the former head coach of Ole Miss, was appointed to take the helm. Despite his interest in coaching during Ole Miss’s College Football Playoff run, the university declined his request to do so.
Frank Wilson has been a familiar face in the LSU program, having previously served as an assistant coach from 2010 to 2015 under Les Miles. He returned to the staff in 2022 and stepped up as interim head coach after Kelly’s departure on October 26. Under Wilson’s leadership, the Tigers recorded a 2-2 finish, securing victories against Arkansas and Western Kentucky.
Wilson’s time with LSU will conclude after the bowl game, as he is set to join the staff of new Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding. While he has yet to officially confirm the move, he expressed his commitment to focusing on the current team until the conclusion of the bowl game. “We just want to finish what we started,” Wilson said, emphasizing the importance of giving the team his full attention before transitioning to his new role.
As for Kiffin’s presence at the Texas Bowl, it remains uncertain. The game will take place at NRG Stadium, located approximately 270 miles from Baton Rouge. Should Kiffin choose to attend, a brief flight would make it possible for him to support his new team.
The Tigers enter the Texas Bowl as a slight underdog, with the Houston Cougars favored by three points. Houston finished the season with a record of 9-3, presenting a formidable challenge for LSU as they seek to conclude their season on a high note.
Kiffin’s contract with LSU, signed last month, is reported to be a seven-year deal worth around $13 million annually. Over the life of the contract, he stands to earn nearly $91 million, with additional incentives and bonuses that could potentially increase that total significantly.
With the Texas Bowl approaching, the LSU Tigers will look to rally under Wilson’s guidance as they aim for a successful end to a season marked by significant upheaval.
