'Keep him away from the sorority girls': Lane Kiffin story from Nick Saban's Alabama days reveals surprising side of LSU coach

In a recent Vanity Fair excerpt from John Talty's book "Lane Being Lane: The Story of Lane Kiffin," newly released on September 15, 2026, the exodus of behaviors and decisions of the former LSU coach come to light. During his time at Alabama under Nick Saban, Kiffin found himself in a rough patch of life with a famous affair. The affair led to his divorce from his wife Layla, who later remarried.

Despite his personal issues, Kiffin was still under scrutiny. Terry Saban, Nick's wife, had heard through friends that Kiffin was out and about in town, attempting to pick up women. This led Saban to advise one of his staff to keep Kiffin away from sorority girls, a piece of advice that was followed. It is believed that Kiffin's emotional struggles, isolation, and downward spiral which included excessive spending, were all a result of this advice.

Kiffin's story is a testament to the immense pressure and scrutiny that comes with the life of a high-profile college football coach. Reflecting on the past, it is clear that Kiffin's behavior and decisions were driven by his personal struggles and the external pressures that came with his position. Now at LSU, the drama he brought with him is similar to the way he played the game his entire career, pushing boundaries and testing the limits.