Ole Miss coach provided an update on the LSU-bound assistants ahead of the CFP semifinal.

Coaching Changes Impact Ole Miss and LSU

Pete Golding mentioned that it’s ultimately up to LSU to determine if the former Ole Miss assistant, who is now part of Lane Kiffin’s staff, will be permitted to coach during the College Football Playoff semifinals. As it stands, this decision appears to be getting clearer.

It seems that running backs coach Kevin Smith isn’t expected to return for the Rebels as they prepare for the Fiesta Bowl against No. 10 Miami on Thursday. Also, it looks like offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. might be “the only major LSU assistant” sticking with his old team throughout the postseason.

Tight ends coach and offensive coordinator Joe Cox, along with wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator George McDonald, have reportedly signed contracts to join Kiffin at LSU, as noted by various sources.

There was word that some coaches were on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge for a visit right when the transfer portal opened, although what this means for their future remains a bit uncertain.

“They have every opportunity to make a decision, as they always have,” Golding stated recently. “So, week in and week out, I don’t dictate whether or not they do that because they’re not employed by me. So far, that’s the way it is and that’s my expectation.”

This situation adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing Kiffin saga. After Ole Miss’ regular season, Kiffin signed a seven-year, $91 million deal with LSU, tying the two programs together until at least the end of 2025.

While there was a desire to coach the No. 6 seed Rebels in the CFP, it turns out he wasn’t able to do so.

Goulding stepped in as head coach and led Ole Miss to a first-round victory over Tulane, followed by an unexpected upset against Georgia in the quarterfinals.

Up until now, the assistants who took over for Kiffin have been allowed to coach the team; however, an unnamed source hinted that the forthcoming stage “will be full of fireworks.”