The LSU Tigers will face the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl on December 27, 2023, but new head coach Lane Kiffin will not lead the team in this matchup. Instead, the interim head coaching duties will fall to Frank Wilson, who has served as the Tigers’ interim head coach since the firing of Brian Kelly in late October.
Kiffin, who recently left Ole Miss to take the helm at LSU, reportedly expressed interest in coaching the Rebels during their College Football Playoff run, but the university declined his request. As a result, Wilson will guide the Tigers into their final game of the season, hoping to secure a victory after finishing the regular season with a record of 7-5.
Coaching Transition at LSU
Wilson has been a familiar figure within the LSU program, having previously served as an assistant from 2010 to 2015 under coach Les Miles. He rejoined the staff in 2022 under Kelly and took over as interim head coach shortly after Kelly’s dismissal on October 26. Under Wilson’s leadership, LSU has recorded a 2-2 record, achieving wins against Arkansas and Western Kentucky.
In a twist of fate, Wilson is set to leave LSU to join the staff of Ole Miss’ new head coach, Pete Golding, after the bowl game, although he has yet to make an official announcement regarding this transition. Wilson emphasized the importance of focusing on the current team before discussing his next steps: “We just want to finish what we started… Give them our undivided attention before transition happens.”
Game Details and Expectations
The Texas Bowl will take place at NRG Stadium in Houston, approximately 270 miles from Baton Rouge. This proximity raises questions about Kiffin’s potential presence during the game, although there has been no confirmation regarding his attendance.
The Tigers enter the bowl game as slight 3-point underdogs against the Cougars, who completed their season with an impressive 9-3 record. The matchup promises to be a competitive one as both teams aim to cap off their seasons on a high note.
Kiffin’s Contract at LSU
Kiffin’s recent appointment includes a lucrative seven-year contract with LSU, reportedly worth around $13 million annually, totaling nearly $91 million over the contract’s duration. With various incentives and bonuses included, Kiffin’s overall earnings could exceed the initial figures, reflecting the high expectations surrounding his leadership.
As the LSU Tigers prepare for their bowl game, the focus remains squarely on securing a victory under the guidance of Frank Wilson, while the broader implications of Kiffin’s future with the program continue to unfold.
