LSU Coach Lane Kiffin Draws Attention for Awkward Mardi Gras Behavior

The new Tigers head coach struggled with the Mardi Gras festivities during his first year in Louisiana.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin made headlines for his awkward behavior during his first experience at the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Kiffin, who was serving as a co-grand marshal of the Endymion Parade, appeared uncomfortable while interacting with the crowd and taking photos, leading to the moment going viral on social media.

Why it matters

Kiffin's struggle to embrace the Mardi Gras culture highlights the challenges he may face in fully integrating into the Louisiana community as the new head coach of the Tigers. Building connections with the passionate LSU fanbase will be crucial to his success, and this incident suggests he still has work to do in that regard.

The details

During the parade, Kiffin was seen flipping his hat backwards and wearing a retro Odell Beckham Jr. LSU jersey while tossing beads to the crowd. However, before taking his place on the float, Kiffin appeared noticeably awkward and drained while taking pictures and signing autographs for fans on Bourbon Street. This behavior caught the attention of many online and went viral.

  • Kiffin served as co-grand marshal of the Endymion Parade on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The incident occurred in the lead-up to Fat Tuesday, the climax of the Mardi Gras celebrations.

The players

Lane Kiffin

The head football coach of the LSU Tigers, who signed a seven-year, $91 million contract to lead the program in December 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Lane Kiffin is one awkward fellow”

— MattBeGreat (Twitter)

What’s next

Kiffin will look to continue acclimating to the Louisiana culture and building connections with the passionate LSU fanbase as he prepares for his first season as the Tigers' head coach.

The takeaway

Kiffin's struggle to fully embrace the Mardi Gras festivities during his first year in Louisiana highlights the challenges he may face in integrating into the local community as the new head coach of the Tigers. Building strong relationships with the fanbase will be crucial to his success, and this incident suggests he still has work to do in that regard.