As the Ole Miss Rebels gear up for a high-stakes College Football Playoff encounter, new head coach Pete Golding is instilling a clear mantra within the team: stay focused on the mission, not the man. The "man" in question is the former architect of their explosive offense, Lane Kiffin, whose departure has triggered a period of significant transition for the sixth-seeded team.
Navigating Coaching Chaos Before the Big Game
The upheaval began when Lane Kiffin, after accepting a lucrative offer to coach the LSU Tigers starting in 2026, was relieved of his duties by Ole Miss on November 30. This move created a ripple effect, with several key offensive assistants deciding to follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge. The list includes coordinator Charlie Weiss, tight ends coach Joe Cox, and receivers coaches George McDonald and Sawyer Jordan.
However, in a crucial move for stability, Weiss has been permitted to stay with the Rebels through their playoff run. This offers a semblance of continuity for an offense that has been spectacular this season, averaging 37 points and 498 total yards per game.
Can the Offensive Firepower Continue Without Kiffin?
The Rebels' offensive success has been driven by standout performances. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has accounted for a remarkable 3,500 yards of total offense. Running back Kewan Lacy has added 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns on 258 carries, with eight different receivers catching at least 15 passes each.
The big question is whether this production can be sustained in the postseason without Kiffin's celebrated play-calling instinct. Coach Golding, however, remains confident in the established system. "We’ve had a lot of success in this system. We’ve done well with it here," Golding stated. "I love everything about it and know what issues it causes for defenses." He emphasized that neither team is likely to reinvent their strategy at this critical juncture.
Golding's Dual Challenge: Staffing and Roster Retention
Beyond game preparation, Golding has been multitasking at a frantic pace. He has swiftly hired three offensive coaches for the future, including naming John David Baker, a former Ole Miss staffer, as the offensive coordinator for the 2026 season. The defensive staff, thankfully, will remain intact.
Perhaps an even more pressing task has been working on roster retention, especially with the transfer portal opening in January. Key players like Chambliss, Lacy, and several receivers are seen as potential targets for other programs. "It’s about retention of your roster and stability. Players want to know who they’re going to play for," Golding explained. This is precisely why he wanted incoming coaches like Baker to be present at team headquarters now, to build relationships with current players.
Chambliss himself is awaiting a decision on a waiver for an additional year of eligibility, humorously remarking, "It would be great to get another year, but right now that decision is in God’s parking lot." For now, his focus is on the American Conference champion Tulane Green Wave, a team he believes will be much tougher than when Ole Miss defeated them 45-10 earlier. "They’re rolling right now. They just won their conference and we expect them to be at their best," Chambliss said of the 11th-seeded opponent.
The Rebels' playoff journey, therefore, begins under a new leader, testing their resilience and focus amidst unprecedented change.
