SEC commissioner non commital on LSU coach Lane Kiffin reprimand for Vanity Fair comments

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey avoided specifying whether disciplinary action would be taken against LSU football coach Lane Kiffin or Texas coach Steve Sarkisian after their recent public statements. Kiffin faced criticism for comments in a *Vanity Fair* interview, where he repeated a recruit’s claim about family concerns over moving to Oxford, Mississippi, though he later clarified the remark was attributed to a parent. Sarkisian drew backlash for criticizing Ole Miss’ academic standards, admitting to a ‘poor choice of words’ but denying formal SEC sanctions. Sankey met with coaches and athletic directors this week to discuss the impact of public comments, emphasizing the need for leadership in conduct and commentary. He reiterated his support for NCAA rules, referencing past eligibility cases like Alabama’s Charles Bediako, who played briefly despite a two-way NBA contract. LSU’s Will Wade declined to comment on the eligibility of 2025 recruit RJ Luis, who signed a two-way NBA deal but played no games due to injury. The SEC Spring Meetings also addressed College Football Playoff expansion, with Sankey reiterating support for a 16-team format while leaving the door open for further discussion. The Big Ten and other Power Five conferences favor a 24-team playoff, leaving the current 12-team structure unchanged for another season. Sankey stressed the SEC’s position remains open but prioritizes research and consensus. Additionally, the SEC rejected a provision in the *Protect College Sports Act*, a Senate bill aimed at reforming college athletics, which proposed pooling media rights across schools. The conference maintained its stance on retaining control over media rights negotiations, a key financial lever in college sports.