LSU coach Lane Kiffin reveals conversation with Louisiana governor

Lane Kiffin’s introductory press conference at LSU unfolded exactly as anyone would expect from him. Kiffin’s remarks included usual thank-yous and excitement about the role and the team’s future — along with his indirectly suggesting that former Alabama and LSU head coach Nick Saban convinced him to accept the position.

Though it’s hard to top the newsworthiness of Nick Saban being involved, one other remark of Kiffin’s got close.

“I also had a unique, great call with Governor Landry,” Kiffin said while fighting off a smirk, “I could feel his passion and energy for the state of Louisiana and for LSU football.”

Although it has since been overshadowed by college football’s constant news cycle, there was a brief moment when Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s name was in the news as much as former LSU head coach Brian Kelly. Landry was heavily involved in Kelly’s dismissal and that of former LSU athletic director Scott Woodward, who fired Kelly in October. In a press conference shortly after Kelly’s departure, Landry voiced his frustrations with how generously college football head coaches are paid today.

"This is ridiculous. Lawyers would be disbarred for the way these agents act," Landry said. "It's really time for the NCAA to put on some guardrails on college sports."

Landry’s press conference included several comments aimed at Woodward, but one in particular was the main reason the Governor received so much backlash.

"The guy that's here now that wrote that contract cost Texas A&M 70-some million dollars,” Landry said. “Right now, we've got a $53 million liability. We are not doing that again.

As some know, Lane Kiffin is represented by the most well-connected agent in college football: Jimmy Sexton. Sexton currently represents high-profile coaches like Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian, Oregon’s Dan Lanning, and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. So, after Landry’s inflammatory comments, many worried it might lead him to interfere with the hiring process and prevent LSU from hiring their top choice due to the price tag.

Fortunately, it appears Landry has since cooled on the issue, as Kiffin’s contract with LSU makes him college football’s second-highest-paid coach.

In short, LSU got its guy in Kiffin, Kiffin received the contract he wanted, and Landry had the chance to speak with the Tigers’ new head coach. There might have been more to that conversation than Kiffin revealed, judging by his wry smile as he shared the news, but it seems that specific details will stay private.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU coach Lane Kiffin reveals conversation with Louisiana governor