Lane Kiffin gets key to New Orleans after serving as co-grand marshal at Endymion
- - Lane Kiffin gets key to New Orleans after serving as co-grand marshal at Endymion
Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY NETWORK February 15, 2026 at 11:49 PM
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The stakes are clear for Lane Kiffin at LSU: It's championship or bust. But he's enjoying his first offseason in Baton Rouge for now.
Indeed, Kiffin isn't just representing Louisiana State in Baton Rouge. He's representing Louisiana, as evidenced by him receiving the key to the city of New Orleans after serving as the co-grand marshal for the Krewe of Endymion Parade, part of Mardi Gras.
Kiffin was at the parade wearing an LSU Odell Beckham III jersey, a backwards hat, and beads. And while he seemed to be enjoying himself, the message being conveyed to him was clear: The fun will last if he's successful. If he isn't, he isn't going to appearing on floats any time soon.
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Indeed, councilman Matt Willard explicitly said the expectation for Kiffin is to bring a championship to Baton Rouge.
Lane Kiffin accepts a key to the city of New Orleans — not to Baton Rouge, councilman Matt Willard says — after being told that he is expected to bring a national title to Louisiana next year. pic.twitter.com/0OXmRHtLEt
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasWrites) February 15, 2026
As controversial as Kiffin's arrival to LSU was, he's clearly being embraced, at least officially. Endymion is the largest of the Mardi Gras parades, and Kiffin was joined by Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy.
In a speech to the crowd, Kiffin said he'd never been to Mardi Gras and ended with the traditional "Geaux Tigers."
First Mardi Gras is one to remember for @Lane_Kiffin. Geaux Tigers! pic.twitter.com/ed9PIQdZ2S
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) February 15, 2026
The float he stood upon was as extra as one might expect: A giant tiger commemorating the LSU mascot.
Kiffin was also awarded a key to the city of Boca Raton during his time at FAU.
Hail Endymion!Co-Grand Marshall @Lane_Kiffin 🐯 pic.twitter.com/KUeyb2VYsx
— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) February 15, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LSU coach Lane Kiffin gets key to New Orleans as expectations build
Source: “AOL Sports”
