OXFORD, Miss. — As the Ole Miss Rebels gear up for their showdown in Thursday's Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes, interim head coach Pete Golding finds himself navigating an unusual staffing dilemma. Several key assistants who followed Lane Kiffin from Oxford to Baton Rouge last month are still under contract with the Rebels, leaving their availability for the postseason game in limbo. Golding emphasized Saturday that the decision rests squarely with LSU, Kiffin's new employer, on whether these coaches can continue contributing to Ole Miss's championship pursuit.
The assistants in question include offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator George McDonald, and running backs coach Kevin Smith. All four have signed contracts to join Kiffin at LSU, according to sources. Additionally, senior analyst and pass game specialist Dane Stevens, along with graduate assistant Sawyer Jordan—who assists with slot receivers—are also departing for the Tigers. A source informed ESPN that these coaches returned to LSU's campus on Friday to welcome official visits amid the opening of the transfer portal window.
Sources close to the situation told ESPN's Mark Schlabach that Ole Miss is uncertain about having all these assistants available for the Fiesta Bowl. "They have every opportunity like they have up to this point to be able to make that decision," Golding said during a College Football Playoff media videoconference on Saturday. "So week in and week out, I don't dictate whether they do that or not, because they're not employed by me. Up to this point, that's how it's been, and that's my expectation."
The tension underscores the rapid changes at Ole Miss since Kiffin, who had led the Rebels to an impressive 11-2 regular season, was named LSU's head coach on November 30. Hours after Kiffin's abrupt departure, Golding—a former defensive coordinator under Kiffin—was elevated to interim head coach. Under Golding's leadership, Ole Miss has advanced through the playoff with victories over Tulane and Georgia, positioning the team just two wins away from a national championship.
Despite the uncertainty, Golding downplayed any potential disruption. An Ole Miss source predicted "some fireworks," noting that the possibility of this conflict had always loomed. "There are going to be some fireworks," the source said. "We always knew this might be a possibility." Some assistants, according to reports, have resisted leaving a team on the cusp of history, pushing back against immediate transitions to LSU.
Golding, speaking candidly about the unknowns, likened the situation to everyday uncertainties. Asked when he would learn which coaches would be available, he replied, "I don't know. Do you know if you're going to show up at work tomorrow? I mean, we don't know. It's grown people making decisions, so I have no idea. We're going to go out there and spot the ball. We got plenty enough people in this building who showed up this morning. We'll be just fine." He stressed that the team's preparation would proceed uninterrupted, crediting the depth of his staff.
"Our players know what to do," Golding added. "It's going to have no impact on the game. Keep blowing it up and making it a big deal, it'd be great." He highlighted the capabilities of lesser-known staff members, saying, "A lot of guys that y'all don't know by name are actually the ones instructing and teaching players. And so we have an elite staff that's been together for a long time that knows the ins and outs."
Golding drew parallels to past challenges, such as those during the COVID-19 pandemic when coaches occasionally missed games. "So no different than during COVID when a coach didn't show up for the game," he said. "... These things obviously come up every year, and guys try to do both jobs and they have responsibilities of the new job that take precedence, especially in times like this, and then they can make both work. If they can't, they can't. That would not be any reason for success or lack of success with this game. The playcallers haven't changed."
Communication between the two programs has remained steady, according to both coaches. Golding described his exchanges with Kiffin as "constant the entire time." Kiffin echoed this in a statement to ESPN on Friday, saying, "Everything has been extremely clear and transparent between myself and Pete Golding through constant communication, including a plan all the way through this historic championship run."
The scenario isn't entirely unprecedented in college football, where coaching carousels often spill into postseason play. However, the high stakes of the expanded College Football Playoff have amplified scrutiny on Ole Miss. Golding acknowledged that while many teams face similar transitions, his program is drawing particular attention. "Coaching transitions are an issue many teams deal with through the postseason but that 'everybody's targeting us on this,'" he noted.
LSU, meanwhile, is in the midst of its own rebuild following a disappointing season. Kiffin's move from Ole Miss to his alma mater brings a proven offensive mind to a program hungry for resurgence. The assistants' dual roles highlight the contractual intricacies in such hires, where outgoing coaches often retain ties to their previous teams until formal releases or buyouts are settled.
For the Rebels, the Fiesta Bowl represents a critical juncture. Played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the game kicks off at 7:45 p.m. ET on Thursday and will be broadcast on ESPN. Ole Miss enters as a slight underdog against a Miami team that has its own playoff aspirations after a strong Atlantic Coast Conference campaign.
Beyond the immediate matchup, the staffing situation could influence Ole Miss's long-term stability. Golding's interim tag adds another layer, with speculation already swirling about permanent hires. Yet, with the program's recent successes— including a 41-21 playoff win over Tulane on December 20 and a 24-17 victory against Georgia on December 31—the focus remains on the field.
Sources indicate that LSU's priorities, including recruiting during the transfer portal's early window, may factor into decisions about the assistants' availability. The portal opened Friday, drawing top talents to campuses like LSU's, where the coaches were spotted engaging with prospects. This overlap complicates matters, as new duties at LSU could pull them away from Ole Miss preparations.
Ultimately, Golding expressed confidence in the Rebels' resilience. "We have an elite staff that's been together for a long time," he reiterated, underscoring the continuity that has defined Ole Miss's rise. As the team practices in Oxford this week before traveling to Arizona, the coaching carousel's effects will test that unity—but Golding insists it won't derail their championship dreams.
The broader implications extend to the evolving landscape of college football, where NIL deals, conference realignments, and playoff expansions intensify competition for talent and staff. For now, though, all eyes are on Glendale, where Ole Miss aims to navigate both Miami's defense and its internal transitions to keep its historic run alive.