LSU disclosed $13.2 million in aggregate assistant coach salaries for the 2026 fiscal year, the highest reported figure among Power Four programs and roughly 18% above the previous benchmark set by Georgia's 2025 staff. The numbers surfaced in a Louisiana state salary database filing Monday and reflect Lane Kiffin's first full cycle of hires after his December move from Ole Miss.
Kiffin's offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis Jr., leads the pool at $2.4 million annually—a number that positions him among the three highest-paid coordinators nationally and represents a $900,000 raise over his Ole Miss deal. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding commands $2.1 million, matching what he earned under Nick Saban at Alabama before joining Kiffin at Oxford in 2024. The remaining nine on-field assistants average $965,000, a figure elevated by LSU's willingness to match or exceed SEC counterparts for position coaches with recent coordinator experience. Strength coach Tommy Moffitt, a 28-year LSU fixture, pulls $725,000—the second-highest strength salary in college football behind only Texas.
The payroll reflects two realities. First, LSU's administration understood that prying Kiffin loose required more than his $11.5 million annual head coach deal; it required funding the staff continuity that makes his tempo offense functional. Second, the SEC's new 16-team structure and expanding College Football Playoff guarantee that LSU will face at least three top-15 opponents annually, and the school opted to spend in the assistant market rather than chase marginal roster upgrades in the portal. The athletic department's revenue hit $239 million in fiscal 2025, buoyed by a renegotiated Learfield apparel deal and CBS's final SEC broadcast payments before the ESPN transition. That gave athletic director Scott Woodward room to construct a coaching budget that exceeds the combined staff costs of every Big 12 program except Colorado.
The disclosure also clarifies how LSU structured Kiffin's departure terms with Ole Miss. Mississippi's attorney general signed off on a settlement that forgave half of Kiffin's $12 million buyout in exchange for LSU hiring at least four Ole Miss assistants at market rates and agreeing not to recruit five specific Rebel commits by name. Weis, Golding, offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., and tight ends coach John David Baker all followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge, satisfying the staffing clause. The recruit restriction expires in August.
Watch LSU's Title IX salary equity filing due before July 15, which will disclose whether women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey received adjustments to maintain parity with Kiffin's support staff budget—a sticking point during contract talks last winter. Also pending: LSU's application to host a first-round CFP game in 2026, a bid that requires demonstrating facility investment above a $40 million threshold. The Tiger Stadium south end zone project, funded separately from athletic operations, closes that gap but remains $7 million short on private donations.
Georgia responded to the LSU filing within six hours. Kirby Smart's staff received contract extensions that lift his assistant pool to $13.4 million, effective July 1.
The takeaway
LSU's **$13.2M** assistant budget buys SEC coaching continuity; Georgia already countered within a day.
Editorial & Disclosure Notice: This article was written with artificial intelligence from public sources and is published without individual human review. Artificial intelligence and other digital tools are also used for research, analysis, editing, formatting, and production. Errors, omissions, outdated information, or inaccuracies may occur. References to companies, brands, products, services, organizations, or individuals are for informational and editorial purposes and do not imply endorsement, sponsorship, affiliation, partnership, or approval unless expressly stated. All trademarks and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners. Opinions, analysis, estimates, and commentary are informational only and should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, tax, medical, procurement, or other professional advice. Information may be corrected, clarified, or updated after publication. Corrections or removal requests: jenny@pops4.com.
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