Lane Kiffin Has Implemented A Fine System For LSU's Players

Lane Kiffin may have had a rough go of things in the NFL, but there's one element that he's using from the pros in his new job at LSU: Player fines.

Appearing on Pardon My Take, Kiffin announced that he's instituted a fine system for the Tigers that encourages players to do their job with an NFL mindset. He explained that NIL and the transfer portal has made a lot of new problems, but feeding into their pro mindset and punishing them like it helps manage expectations.

"With NIL and the portal, there's a lot of problems that have been created," Kiffin said. "I think with them getting paid, I don't think that's as challenging. I don't think it's as challenging to get guys to do things because we're paying you. If you don't want to do it, there's a fine system, just like the NFL. I find it's actually easier.

"They kind of, in their mind, think they're like pros now – which is good. That's how we talk to them. So you've got high expectations."

"Go see the GM"

Kiffin stated that he expects his players to want to be players and if they are intent on avoiding their obligations to work out or watch film, then he invites them to meet with LSU general manager Billy Glasscock and "give back half your money."

"If you want to be a normal student and not really do all those things, that's fine," Kiffin said. "Go see the GM and give back half your money, if you want to do half the work. So that way, I think it's a little bit easier that way.

"You bring them in, ‘Hey, this is what you need to do.' And if you don't, there's a fine system for those things, but also, what's going to happen at the end of the year? You're going to get cut."

Kiffin might find a bit of a snag with his system though, namely that players can simply refuse to pay and Kiffin might not be able to physically get the money from them. NFL fines are an agreed upon punishment as outlined by the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL players union.

College football [players don't have a union.

Not that it would happen, since players would probably just lose their roster spots if they refused to pay, but Kiffin and the LSU football program could potentially face legal action if they follow through on that plan.

But that's an issue for another time.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 12:32 PM.