Lane Being Lane: The Story of Lane Kiffin, College Football’s Agent of Chaos

by John Talty

Untitled Nonfiction has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Genres: Football

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2026

Reviews

[Sean]

It would be hard to imagine a better weekend for an Ole Miss fan to listen to LANE BEING LANE. My wife and I listened to it on the drive to/from Oxford for the LSU v. Ole Miss game, with Lane Kiffin returning so I probably definitely didn’t approach this as an entirely disinterested reader. Talty does a very good job explaining what makes Kiffin such a fascinating figure: the ambition, humor, insecurity, confidence, restlessness, social-media savvy, football intelligence, and seemingly endless ability to create chaos around himself. I knew many of the stories, but there was plenty here I didn’t. I finished the book understanding him better and liking him less.

Four stars for the book. Five stars for listening to the final chapters on the way home from Oxford after Ole Miss beat Lane Kiffin’s LSU.

[Andrew Epperson]

This is a top-tier read from one of the best long form sports journalists in the game. Talty’s style is different than, say, Jeff Pearlman, but he knows which parts of an overarching story will keep the reader invested. There’s no telling what was left on the chopping block here considering Lane Kiffin’s probably the most polarizing figure in college sports. Talty didn’t shy away from the personal negatives plaguing Kiffin, and this is a fantastic account of the coach’s life and career.

[Trevor W.]

Really good character study and biography. Kiffin is obviously a POS in my eyes but he's a charismatic POS. He got screwed over by USC and I think that's what happened and why he went full demon mode imo

[John Schorg]

This book does a good job detailing Lane Kiffin's rise to prominence in the cesspool that is college football. What it doesn't do is give you a single reason to care about him or, heaven forbid, feel sorry for him.

[Bill]

Fine. Think it was a little unfair at times.

[Reader]

So glad the people of Mississippi got their justice Setember 19th.

LSU and lane are perfect for each other.