LSU Tigers coach Lane Kiffin is urging his players to embrace criticism and respond on the field after a disappointing 31-13 loss to Alabama, but his message has also sparked questions about accountability within the program.
A lengthy statement addressed to every player and employee appeared on television screens throughout LSU’s football facility Monday, two days after the Tigers suffered arguably the worst loss of Kiffin’s short tenure.
“Welcome to LSU and the dark side of being the villain,” the message said.
While this addressed the criticism that comes with playing for one of college football’s notable programs, it encouraged players to ignore outsided opinions and avoid making excuses and return to work.
“You cannot control what they say,” the message continued. “You cannot control what they write. You cannot control what they think. But you damn sure can control how you respond.”
Kiffin followed up the message with his own statement. “I just spent time with them today discussing, ‘Hey, you can’t listen to the noise,'” Kiffin said on Monday.
The message comes as LSU attempts to recover from a loss that dropped the Tigers to 6-3. LSU out gained Alabama 457-285 but struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, going 0-for-4 on fourth-down attempts.
USA TODAY Sports columnist Matt Hayes questioned the message about outside criticism, arguing that Kiffin should focus on his own responsibility for the team’s struggles rather than directing attention toward fans and the media.
“Everybody wanted in your big tent circus at LSU because there’s nothing bigger in the state. Not even politics. You knew this, and fueled their passion with your circus,” Haynes wrote.
“You figured out how to bring those two unstoppable forces in the state — football and politics — together to do your dirty work. To take on anyone who dared step in your path of winning right now. A happy, fruitful marriage with the SEC, be damned.”
LSU has also suffered losses to Ole Miss and Kentucky this season, increasing pressure on Kiffin in his first year leading the program.
The Tigers have little time to regroup. No. 8 Texas visits Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14, giving LSU an opportunity to respond. Kiffin is feeling the heat right now because his program hasn’t lived up to the hype.
