BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The appointment of Lane Kiffin as LSU’s new head football coach could significantly amplify the university’s already substantial economic influence, according to an economist from the institution. Dek Terrell, an LSU professor who has extensively studied the financial footprint of the school’s athletic programs, noted that sports alone contributed approximately $500 million to Louisiana’s economy in his 2022 assessment. With heightened enthusiasm generated by Kiffin’s arrival, future economic activity could rise by an additional $100 million. n nThis surge in revenue may translate into increased tax collections, which could support public investments in infrastructure, education, and safety initiatives across the state. Terrell emphasized that such developments could reshape LSU’s trajectory and benefit Louisiana broadly. n nOn-campus sentiment reflects growing excitement. Student Kyle Stack remarked that high-profile coaching names like Kiffin, Saban, and Orgeron elevate Baton Rouge’s visibility, drawing interest from prospective visitors and students. n nBeyond immediate financial gains, Terrell highlighted a potential long-term effect: rising student enrollment. He cited the University of Alabama, where enrollment climbed nearly 120% over two decades under Nick Saban’s leadership. Should LSU mirror this trend, the university would need to expand housing, academic facilities, and faculty staffing. A new dormitory currently under construction, designed to accommodate over 1,000 students, exemplifies the type of infrastructure development that might need to accelerate. n n“If we’re adding thousands of students, we’ll need more buildings and more instructors,” Terrell said. “Preparation is key.” n
— News Original —nKiffin’s arrival could bring major economic boost to Louisiana, expert saysn nBATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – LSU football is already one of Louisiana’s largest economic engines, but the arrival of new head coach Lane Kiffin could push that impact even higher, according to an LSU economist. n nDek Terrell, a professor at LSU who has conducted multiple studies on the university’s economic footprint, said the numbers tied to athletics are already staggering. His most recent analysis, completed in 2022, estimated the athletic program’s overall economic impact at roughly $500 million. n nTerrell said renewed excitement surrounding Kiffin and rising expectations for the program could potentially add another $100 million in economic activity in the future. n nA portion of that money comes in the form of tax revenue that could eventually support projects across Louisiana, including infrastructure upgrades, public safety initiatives and education. n n“This move could have a substantial impact on the future of LSU and the state as a whole,” Terrell said. n nStudents on campus say the buzz around Kiffin is already noticeable. n n“You get a big name like that… Coach O, Saban, Kiffin… you see those names on billboards around campus and around the city, and people are going to be intrigued to see what Baton Rouge is all about,” LSU student Kyle Stack said. n nTerrell said the university should also prepare for another potential outcome, which is a spike in student enrollment. He pointed to the University of Alabama as an example of what a successful football program can do for a school’s profile. n n“One of the things we saw at the University of Alabama with Nick Saban is that over the last 20 years, their enrollment has gone up almost 120%,” Terrell said. n nIf LSU experiences similar growth, he said the university will need to be proactive. That includes expanding housing, academic buildings and hiring more faculty. n nA new dorm currently under construction, which is expected to house more than 1,000 students, is one example of the kind of preparation LSU may need to ramp up if enrollment surges. n n“We’re already building here at LSU. So, if you’re going to add 10,000 more students, then there’s going to have to be buildings, and you’re going to have to hire more people to teach them,” Terrell said. n nClick here to report a typo. Please include the headline. n nClick here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. n nWatch the latest WAFB news and weather now.
