By Sarah Mitchell, The Appleton Times
OXFORD, Miss. — As No. 6 Ole Miss prepares for its College Football Playoff semifinal showdown against No. 10 Miami in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, the Rebels' coaching staff is navigating a whirlwind of transitions. Sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday that offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith, who are set to join former head coach Lane Kiffin at LSU, will remain with Ole Miss through the pivotal game scheduled for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The decision comes amid uncertainty following Kiffin's departure to LSU, which has left interim head coach Pete Golding steering the ship for the program's most significant matchup to date. Weis and Smith, key architects of Ole Miss's explosive offense, traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Monday for recruiting visits before returning to Oxford, Mississippi, that same evening. Their commitment to the Fiesta Bowl provides stability as the Rebels, fresh off playoff victories over No. 11 Tulane and No. 3 Georgia, aim to advance further in the expanded 12-team format.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter emphasized the coaches' dedication in a statement to ESPN on Tuesday morning. "Our main focus is on winning this game," Carter said. "Charlie has been awesome, juggling two high-profile jobs. He's been incredible. We have no complaints." Carter's remarks underscore the administration's appreciation for the coordinators' efforts despite the impending staff overhaul.
Not all departing coaches will participate in the bowl game, however. Sources indicated that tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and receivers coach and passing game coordinator George McDonald are not expected to coach against Miami. Cox and McDonald were instrumental in the Rebels' earlier playoff triumphs, including the 39-34 upset of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl last week, where kicker Lucas Carneiro sealed the win with a 47-yard field goal after setting an Allstate Sugar Bowl record with a 56-yarder earlier in the postseason.
Golding addressed the fluid coaching situation during a press conference on Saturday, stressing his hands-off approach to the decisions. "They have every opportunity like they have up to this point to be able to make that decision," Golding said. "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." His comments reflect the unique challenges of managing a staff in flux during a high-stakes playoff run.
Complicating matters further are allegations of tampering leveled by Walker Jones, director of Ole Miss's NIL collective, against the outgoing coaches. Jones voiced frustrations to Yahoo Sports last week, highlighting the distractions posed by the transitions. "It's unfortunate what has been going on with our players and their former head coach and staff," Jones said. "Having to deal with the pressure of making future decisions while trying to prepare for a playoff run is not a sustainable model."
"Yes, does a bad calendar and lack of true oversight hurt? Of course. But so does poor character and lack of respect for your former employer and players. That being said, we are prepared and effectively dealing with this first-of-its-kind, complicated situation," Jones added.
Jones's concerns centered on potential poaching of talent by LSU, with speculation that the Tigers were eyeing quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and tailback Kewan Lacy. Both players, however, have committed to staying with Ole Miss by signing new deals for the 2026 season. Chambliss's agreement is pending NCAA approval for a sixth year of eligibility, a waiver his attorney, Thomas Mars, confirmed remains undecided as of Monday.
Carter expressed optimism about the waiver process during his Tuesday interview. He anticipates a decision from the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement within the next 7 to 10 days, which could prove crucial for the Rebels' future planning. Meanwhile, kicker Lucas Carneiro, another target of LSU's interest, also inked a new deal with Ole Miss on Monday, bolstering the team's retention efforts amid the coaching exodus.
Senior analyst and pass game specialist Dane Stevens and graduate assistant Sawyer Jordan, who works with slot receivers, are among those departing for LSU, adding to the staff turnover. Golding has worked to minimize the drama's impact on his players, even as he awaited final confirmations on coaching availability until late Monday night. "Our players know what to do," Golding said. "It's going to have no impact on the game. Keep blowing it up and making it a big deal, it'd be great."
The interim coach drew parallels to other programs dealing with midseason departures, downplaying the situation's severity despite the playoff stakes. "I don't know. Do you know if you're going to show up at work tomorrow?" Golding quipped. "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."
Ole Miss's journey to the Fiesta Bowl has been marked by resilience, from Kiffin's abrupt exit to the administrative allowances from LSU that enable Weis and Smith's participation. The Rebels departed Oxford on Tuesday for Arizona, where they will face a Hurricanes team eager to capitalize on any distractions. This semifinal berth represents uncharted territory for the program, building on a season of upsets and momentum.
Beyond the immediate game, the coaching carousel raises questions about Ole Miss's long-term stability. With key players like Chambliss and Lacy secured, and Carneiro staying put, the focus shifts to assembling a cohesive staff under Golding or a potential permanent hire. The NCAA's ruling on Chambliss's eligibility could influence recruiting and roster depth heading into 2026.
As the Rebels take flight for Scottsdale, the narrative of loyalty and transition defines their playoff story. Whether the behind-the-scenes turbulence affects on-field performance remains to be seen, but Ole Miss's leadership insists the team is primed for success. The Fiesta Bowl, with its national spotlight, offers a stage to prove that amid change, the core mission endures: victory.
In the broader context of college football's evolving landscape, Ole Miss's saga highlights the pressures of NIL deals, transfer portals, and rapid staff shifts. LSU's willingness to release Weis and Smith for the game speaks to a spirit of sportsmanship, even as rivalries simmer. For fans and analysts alike, Thursday's clash promises not just athletic competition, but a chapter in one of the sport's most dynamic offseasons.