Overview
- Citing a USA Today interview, Ausberry acknowledged he once thought Kiffin was "the biggest a--hole" at SEC meetings but said that judgment has changed.
- Ausberry told reporters he now believes Kiffin has matured and that the timing was right for LSU to hire him to bring new energy to the program.
- Kiffin left Ole Miss after accepting LSU’s multiyear deal and generated controversy over his exit and later comments about Oxford that required an apology.
- LSU says Kiffin has already delivered tangible off-field results by assembling the No. 1 2026 transfer portal class and adding multiple key transfers.
- The hire raises immediate tensions with Ole Miss and frames the September LSU-Ole Miss game as a potential flashpoint for lingering rivalry and fan reaction.