As the college football bowl season kicks off, the LSU Tigers prepare for a pivotal match against the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl on December 27, 2023. The Tigers, who finished the regular season with a record of 7-5, will not have their newly appointed head coach, Lane Kiffin, on the sidelines for this game. Instead, the coaching responsibilities will fall to Frank Wilson, the interim head coach and a longtime assistant with the program.
LSU’s season was marked by significant changes, including the midseason firing of head coach Brian Kelly. Kiffin, who previously led the Ole Miss Rebels, was selected to take over the Tigers but expressed interest in coaching Ole Miss during its College Football Playoff run. However, his request to do so was denied by the university.
Kiffin’s absence from the Texas Bowl means Wilson will lead the team for the final time, having taken over shortly after Kelly’s dismissal on October 26, 2023. Wilson, a Louisiana native, has been part of LSU’s coaching staff for multiple seasons and has led the team to a 2-2 record since taking charge, with victories against Arkansas and Western Kentucky. Following the bowl game, Wilson is set to join the coaching staff at Ole Miss under new head coach Pete Golding, although he has yet to officially confirm the transition.
“We just want to finish what we started,” Wilson stated regarding his focus on the current team before making any announcements about his future. He emphasized the importance of giving his full attention to the players as they prepare for the bowl game.
As for Kiffin, it remains uncertain whether he will attend the Texas Bowl. The distance from Baton Rouge to Houston is approximately 270 miles, making it feasible for him to make a brief appearance if he chooses to do so. The Tigers enter this matchup as a slight 3-point underdog against Houston, which concluded its season with a record of 9-3.
In the background, Kiffin’s contract with LSU, signed last month, is a seven-year deal valued at around $13 million annually. Over the contract’s duration, he is expected to earn close to $91 million, with the potential for additional incentives and bonuses that could significantly increase that total.
As LSU gears up for this crucial matchup, all eyes will be on Wilson as he aims to end his interim tenure on a high note, while Kiffin prepares for his new role with the Tigers in the upcoming season. The Texas Bowl promises to be an exciting contest, set to take place at NRG Stadium in Houston, home of the Houston Texans.
