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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Head coach Lane Kiffin brought out plenty of celebrity star power for his walk down Victory Hill ahead of the LSU Tigers' matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Kiffin is known for getting publicity and stirring up controversy with his coaching strategies. He's also had several entrances for home games featuring celebrities, and today's may have been one of the biggest entourages he has arrived with.
The WNBA's Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese was part of the group, alongside ESPN analyst and NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, who is a Pro Basketball Hall of Famer. In addition, current MLB pitcher Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates walked with Kiffin through the throng of LSU fans to get everyone hyped up for the big game.
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If that wasn't enough, Kiffin may have had one of his biggest celebrity guests to date. Two-time Academy Award winner and actor Kevin Costner was also there for a surprising arrival alongside the LSU head coach.
More news: Nick Saban Sends Strong Warning to Alabama Ahead of LSU Clash
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All of the aforementioned athletes have ties to LSU, with Reese and Skenes the most recent to leave for professional sports. Reese played at LSU from 2022 to 2024 and won a national championship. Skenes only played there for his final season in 2023, transferring from Air Force Academy, and then won a championship with the Tigers.
Shaq didn't win a championship in college, but after playing for LSU from 1989 to 1992, he became the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. He went on to become a legend on the professional hardwood, winning four championships and getting inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
Reese, fresh off her team losing to the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Finals, drew some criticism for her appearance in the comments of SportsCenter's video post on X showing the arrival.
"What is Reese there? Not enough attention this week?" one commenter wrote.
"Angel Reese said she was stepping away until next year and already back clout chasing in one week," another commenter said.
Others commented, "Is it just me or does this seem awkward lol" and "Kevin Costner does NOT want to be there."
Of the celebs who accompanied Kiffin ahead of the game, Costner doesn't have any ties to Louisiana State University. The "Dances with Wolves" Oscar winner, who has also played various roles in several sports films, graduated from California State University, Fullerton, in 1978. He met Kiffin in 2024 when Kiffin was the head coach at Ole Miss.
Kiffin, in his first season coaching the LSU Tigers, has made other celebrity-filled entrances before home games. Earlier this season, he arrived with a group that included former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne and comedian Theo Von. Reportedly, Dunne, who is in a relationship with Skenes, was also part of this week's arrival for the walk down Victory Hill.
Saturday was also a huge game for LSU as they continue to pursue a spot in the College Football Playoff bracket. The 6-2 Alabama Crimson Tide, No. 9 in the AP Top 25 poll, earned a spot in the first projected 12-team bracket, while LSU was on the outside looking in.
A win for Kiffin and No. 15 LSU could go a long way toward improving their chances of the selection committee adding them to the 12-team field. The game kicked off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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