The situation has taken a dramatic turn.
After Ole Miss managed an unexpected victory over Georgia on Thursday, the coaching staff has found itself in a bit of a dilemma. Some are preparing to join LSU under former coach Lane Kiffin, and it’s uncertain how many will stick around for the next game. More from ESPN.
The transfer portal opened on Friday and will be available until January 16. Ole Miss, ranked No. 6, will go up against No. 10 Miami on January 8 in the first of two College Football Playoff semifinal games.
Notable coach departures to LSU include offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, passing game coordinator George McDonald, and running backs coach Kevin Smith, according to ESPN.
Interestingly, some of the coaches heading to Baton Rouge seem reluctant to abandon Ole Miss, especially since the team is just two wins from a championship.
“There are going to be fireworks,” commented an Ole Miss official to ESPN. “We always thought this could happen.”
Weis was the only assistant who went back to Oxford, Michigan, after the game, and reports suggest he might remain with Ole Miss for the time being.
Other coaches are set to head to Baton Rouge to navigate the transfer portal and assist Kiffin in enhancing his roster, as reported by ESPN.
Kiffin indicated to ESPN that there was no issue since the plan had been established before the CFP began.
“Everything has been very clear and transparent between me and Pete Golding, including our plans for this historic championship,” Kiffin shared.
“It was a great night for all Ole Miss players, coaches, and fans.”
Had Ole Miss lost to Georgia, as many anticipated, none of this would have stirred up any drama. Instead, the Rebels surprised everyone with a thrilling 39-34 win, clinching it with a last-second field goal.
Next, Ole Miss faces the Hurricanes, with a potential matchup against the winner of the game between No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon.
Kiffin, who lobbied to stay at Ole Miss during this transition, ultimately chose to leave for a rival program, a decision that did not sit well with some.
Golding has successfully coached the team, leading them to two CFP victories.
Alongside the mentioned coaches, Kiffin is also bringing in senior analyst and passing game specialist Dane Stevens, as well as graduate assistant Sawyer Jordan.
Despite speculations that Kiffin might play in Thursday’s game, he opted to watch from the sidelines as the No. 5 LSU women’s basketball team lost to No. 12 Kentucky.
Ole Miss senior defensive tackle Zazavian Harris expressed disappointment over Kiffin’s actions, referring to his departure as a “slap in the face.”
“Yeah, he just tried to steal our shine,” Harris said, according to ESPN. “That’s all he’s trying to do, steal our shine.” He elaborated that Kiffin’s exit felt like a “backhand” and that they had contributed significantly to his time at Ole Miss.
