Landry pleas for 'Southern hospitality' in Kiffin's return - ESPN

While LSU coach Lane Kiffin is trying to downplay the emotions surrounding his return to Ole Miss on Saturday, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry knows what kind of atmosphere will be waiting for the No. 7 Tigers in their SEC opener.

«I'm thinking about having to send him in on an F-16 and maybe the team on a C-130,» Landry told ESPN. «Security is going to be really tight. You know, we might need the National Guard out there to protect our team. I think it's going to be an interesting weekend.»

Landry was joking, of course, but Kiffin's return to Oxford, Mississippi, will likely stir up plenty of vitriol from the No. 8 Rebels and their fans.

Kiffin guided Ole Miss to an 11-1 record in 2025 before leaving for LSU two days after the regular-season finale.

Defensive coordinator Pete Golding was promoted to replace Kiffin, who lobbied to coach the Rebels in the postseason even after accepting the LSU job. Under Golding, the Rebels won their first two games in the CFP before falling to Miami 31-27 in a CFP Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.

Landry told ESPN that his office has had discussions with Ole Miss officials to ensure that Kiffin and LSU's players will be safe.

«I know that we've been talking with Mississippi and making sure that we have adequate security for the team and coach,» Landry said. «But I'm hoping that we can go there and play in complete Southern hospitality and have a great, great game.»

During his weekly news conference in Baton Rouge on Monday, Kiffin told reporters that he discussed with his players what might be in store for them in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

«We talk about that,» Kiffin said. «I guess there's real safety issues and stuff, so there's people that have a plan for that. I told the players