Lane Kiffin Criticized for Grocery Basket Incident Amid LSU Move

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Lane Kiffin, LSU’s new head coach, is back in the spotlight—but this time, it’s not about football. Instead, social media’s buzzing about his grocery shopping habits.

Kiffin, fresh off a $91 million contract, was caught on video by his daughter, Landry, bringing a store’s shopping basket home. The clip blew up online, and suddenly everyone had an opinion: Was he being thrifty or just plain clueless?

Lane Kiffin’s Controversial Move to LSU

Kiffin’s jump from Ole Miss to LSU already had college football fans talking. He left Ole Miss behind, taking a massive contract and becoming the second-highest paid coach in the game—just after Kirby Smart at Georgia.

Ole Miss fans weren’t happy, of course. The move felt like a betrayal to many, especially since Kiffin had led the team to the College Football Playoff.

The Fallout from Leaving Ole Miss

When he left, the Rebel fanbase let him have it. Some felt especially burned, since he’d tried to stay but was turned down by Ole Miss.

The drama of his departure just added fuel to the fire when the whole grocery basket thing happened. It’s like the guy can’t catch a break lately.

The Viral Video Incident

Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, filmed him coming home with a plastic shopping basket loaded with groceries. She couldn’t help but laugh, captioning it, *Sent him to the store alone for the first time* and joking that his *shopping privileges are revoked.*

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The video took off fast. TikTok and X users started chiming in, some amused, others baffled.

Kiffin’s Response to the Backlash

In the video, Kiffin tries to explain himself, saying he didn’t know he had to pay for grocery bags. It was self-checkout, after all.

He even jokes about saving money because of his daughter’s spending. Later, he joined in on the jokes online, posting hashtags like #ReturnedBasket, #SaveEnvironmentNoBags, and #SetExampleForKids.

The Debate: Thriftiness or Embarrassment?

Fans and critics are split. Some say Kiffin’s just being practical—even if he’s got millions in the bank.

Others think it’s embarrassing. Should a coach making this much money really be hauling home a store basket?

Arguments for Thriftiness

Supporters think he’s setting a good example. Not paying for bags? That’s environmentally friendly and shows some financial sense.

Honestly, in a world full of waste, it’s kind of refreshing. Plus, the way he laughs it off makes him seem more relatable—maybe even likable, if you ask me.

Arguments for Embarrassment

Critics say it looks bad. A coach with his salary can afford a few bags, and taking a basket home? That’s just not a good look.

Some see it as crossing a line, maybe even a little ridiculous. Rival fans and the media are having a field day with it.

The Impact on Kiffin’s Public Image

Sure, the basket thing seems silly, but for a high-profile coach, every move is up for debate. Especially with all eyes on him after the LSU switch.

Kiffin’s willingness to poke fun at himself might help, though. It shows he’s not taking it—or himself—too seriously, which isn’t always a bad thing.

Conclusion

Lane Kiffin’s grocery basket mishap—well, it’s given us a pretty rare peek into what life is like for a big-name college football coach. The whole thing has stirred up some chatter, maybe more than you’d expect for something so ordinary.

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People are split. Some see it as a quirky, money-saving move, while others can’t help but cringe a little on his behalf. Either way, it kind of reminds us that even folks constantly in the spotlight have their off days.

If you’re curious and want all the details, check out the original article over at the Daily Mail.

Joe Hughes
Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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