Lane Kiffin has provided some behind the scenes access into his life while revealing some things about himself. This includes one of the reasons for his divorce back in 2016.
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Kiffin, who departed Ole Miss to accept a job at LSU, sat down with Vanity Fair for a longform discussion. It was in this that the 51-year-old coach revealed that a drinking problem had affected multiple aspects of his life. It hurt him as a coaching prospect and it hurt his marriage to then-wife Layla.
"My whole drive when I was younger was like, How fast can I get everything," Kiffin told Vanity Fair. "How fast can I get the big job? The big contract?
"As I've gotten older, I've tried to work on that, making decisions that are more delayed gratification...I got tired of digging out of hangovers, tired of digging out of situations or things I said."
As Kiffin explained, he started out drinking many beers. He then developed a taste for vodka over time.
The son of former NFL coach Monte, Kiffin bounced from place to place early in his coaching career. He took the head coaching job with the Raiders in 2007, but owner Al Davis fired him after only 20 games and a 5-15 record.
He then spent the 2009 season with the Tennessee Volunteers, but he quit after a 7-6 season so that he could move to the USC Trojans. This decision angered the Volunteers fans, to say the least.
He spent 43 games with the Trojans before being fired early in 2013. Kiffin then spent 2014-2016 as offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide, only to be fired before the national championship.
He then spent three seasons at Florida Atlantic, where he led the team to a 26-13 record, before he took over Ole Miss. Kiffin took the Rebels to double-digit wins in four of his six seasons, as well as three bowl wins.
The team made the playoffs last season, but he did not coach them after the regular season. He accepted the LSU job and has since moved down to Baton Rouge.
It was actually during this time at Ole Miss that he changed his life. He gave up drinking in 2021, and he has remained sober ever since while focusing on pickleball and hot yoga. He actually posted on X in late January that he had reached the five-year mark.
"Welp, 5 years ago today, I made a decision that would change my life and many others around me," Kiffin posted on Jan. 30. "I want to say to anyone that has something holding you back from being the best version of yourself—you CAN do it!! It won't be easy AT ALL, but I promise you it will be worth it."
Welp 5 years ago today, I made a decision that would change my life and many others around me. I want to say to anyone that has something holding you back from being the best version of yourself you CAN do it!! It won’t be easy AT ALL, but I promise you it will be worth it. 💙♥️ pic.twitter.com/go4uogcjLo
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) January 30, 2026
