ESPN Asks if Ole Miss Can Contend Without Kiffin — Here's the Answer

The 2026 Ole Miss Rebels team looks to silence critics going into the new season.

Sep 21, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (left) shares a laugh with defensive coordinator Pete Golding (right) during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The 2025 Ole Miss Rebels faced plenty of controversy throughout the season, including several challenges and a quarterback change. However, the biggest controversy came with the departure of Lane Kiffin.

Lane Kiffin left the Rebels for the LSU Tigers shortly after the Egg Bowl against in-state rival Mississippi State. Ole Miss went on to the College Football Playoff under interim head coach Pete Golding, who had previously served as the team's defensive coordinator.

The Rebels won two playoff games under Golding, first defeating Tulane at home in the opening round before taking down one of the best teams in college football, Georgia, in the Sugar Bowl.

Pete Golding Has the Talent to Keep Ole Miss in Contention

Jul 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Pete Golding speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Following the 2025 season, the Rebels hit the transfer portal hard as Golding made sure the defense would be stacked. Ole Miss enters the 2026 season with arguably its most talented defense in the past 10 years.

The defense is led by Will Echoles, a preseason All-American heading into 2026. The Rebels also boast Suntarine Perkins and Kam Franklin, who are both highly touted players and key pieces of the defense.

Ole Miss flaunts one of the best quarterbacks in the nation as Trindiad Chambliss returns for another season with Ole Miss after his fantastic 2025 campaign. Heisman candiate Kewan Lacy also returns for Ole Miss after Lacy broke many of the Ole Miss rushing records in 2025.

The Rebels enter the season ranked ninth, as the national media is clearly buying into the idea that Ole Miss can still compete without Lane Kiffin at the helm.

Ole Miss Loaded Up With Elite Coordinators

Offensive coordinator John David Baker speaks at Ole Miss “Meet the Rebels” in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, April 25, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Charlie Weis Jr. followed Lane Kiffin to LSU, so the Rebels hired John David Baker to replace him as offensive coordinator heading into the 2026 season.

Baker is already familiar with the Ole Miss system and how the offense operates, having previously served on the Rebels’ staff before taking the offensive coordinator job at ECU. Now back at Ole Miss, Baker will work alongside head coach Pete Golding and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge to ensure the offense remains productive heading into the 2026 season.

Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator Bryan Brown enters his first full season in the role in 2026 after previously serving as the Rebels’ co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Brown will look to build on his experience with the program as he helps lead one of the most talented defenses in the SEC.

Both coordinators have all the talent they need to help lead the Rebels on another deep playoff run in 2026.

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