As Lane Kiffin prepares for his debut as LSU's head football coach, details from a new book are resurfacing concerning his conduct during his time on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama. The book, "Lane Being Lane: The Story of Lane Kiffin, College Football’s Agent of Chaos," by John Talty, excerpts published by Vanity Fair detail alleged incidents of Kiffin's drinking and personal behavior between 2014 and 2016.
According to the book, Kiffin's off-field activities created friction with Saban and reportedly impacted his personal life. On at least one occasion, a member of Saban's staff was called to retrieve a golf cart Kiffin had left overnight at a local bar. Former LSU quarterback and Alabama assistant coach Josh Booty recalled that a bar co-owner would sometimes call seeking introductions for Kiffin.
The book claims Saban warned Kiffin to avoid college students and sorority girls, after hearing from his wife, Terry Saban, that Kiffin was attempting to meet women in Tuscaloosa. Kiffin was reportedly living separately from his wife and children in California at the time.
Rumors of Kiffin's affair circulated in 2015, with reports at the time suggesting it caused a significant reaction from Saban. The book suggests these off-field issues contributed to a disconnect between Kiffin and Saban, potentially hindering Kiffin's career progression.
Kiffin's divorce from his wife, Layla, was announced in February 2016, described as a mutual decision focused on co-parenting their three children. Layla Kiffin officially filed for divorce a month later, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple had reportedly reconciled by March 2025.
The book portrays Kiffin's drinking as a coping mechanism for the strain on his personal life and his strained relationship with Saban. A friend recounted fears that Kiffin was endangering his health and described witnessing extreme emotional distress.
Allegations suggest Kiffin sometimes used the alias "Joey Freshwater" at bars. A former employee at one Tuscaloosa establishment noted Kiffin's public visibility contrasted with other Alabama coaches, making his ability to avoid major public incidents during the season surprising. Kiffin himself has previously mentioned using the alias "Jimmy Chestnut" and acknowledged the "Joey Freshwater" name in a 2017 interview.
Kiffin, who has been sober since January 2021, has spoken openly about how his past drinking habits negatively affected his marriage, contributing to their 2016 divorce. Their children are Landry, 21, Presley, 19, and Monte Knox, 17.
Kiffin rebuilt the football program at Ole Miss, achieving a 55-19 record over six seasons before controversially leaving for the LSU head coaching position prior to the Rebels' College Football Playoff appearance. He is now set to coach LSU against Clemson.