SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Ole Miss coach Pete Golding dismissed notions that his team’s recent success in the College Football Playoff was a message to anyone, particularly former coach Lane Kiffin, who left for LSU. At a news conference before the CFP Semifinal against Miami at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Golding stated, “I don’t have s— to say to anybody.”
Kiffin’s exit came after a remarkable 11-1 regular season, during which Golding was elevated from defensive coordinator to head coach in the wake of Kiffin’s departure on November 30. The Rebels managed to advance to the semifinals by defeating Tulane and pulling off an upset against Georgia, demonstrating resilience amidst recent turmoil within the program.
Golding emphasized that Kiffin’s departure came at a suitable time for the players, indicating that the team had already established a strong culture. “They knew the expectation,” he remarked. “The only thing that was different was who’s running them out of the tunnel… They care about their plan. They care about being held accountable… That’s been the message our players have created.”
Further addressing the significance of stability within the program, Golding remarked, “You want to build a program to where it’s heading in the right direction, and one person, one player, is not going to derail that.” His statement reflected confidence in the program’s foundation and the ability to weather changes without losing focus.
Golding went on to confirm coaching arrangements for the upcoming game, indicating that offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith would be coaching. Conversely, tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald, who are following Kiffin to LSU, will not participate. Golding acknowledged the challenges posed by the roster changes, including 35 players entering the transfer portal, but asserted that Ole Miss has a strong coaching staff in place to guide the team.
The atmosphere surrounding the Ole Miss program is one of determination and resilience as they gear up for a pivotal playoff matchup, underlining a collective commitment to their goals despite the recent upheaval.