Ole Miss reportedly finalizing deal with new offensive coordinator for 2026
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The Ole Miss Rebels‘ national championship outlook changed dramatically when offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. returned to Oxford for the CFP. Weis is still set to be in Baton Rouge with Lane Kiffin next season, though, which put Pete Golding in position to find an OC for the future. On Tuesday morning, he did just that.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ole Miss has hired East Carolina offensive coordinator John David Baker to be the next Rebels OC. Baker, 35, spent 3 years on staff (2021-23) as Ole Miss’ tight ends coach before joining the Pirates in 2024.
Baker’s offenses at East Carolina were fairly prolific. The Pirates averaged 32.0 points per game — 34th in the nation — last season. They improved to 33.5 points per game — 24th-best in the country — this year. Baker’s offense had a 3-week stretch of 40-plus point performances from Oct. 16-Nov. 8 and dropped another 40-piece to wrap up regular season play on Nov. 29.
East Carolina won 8 games in both 2024 and 2025 thanks in part to Baker’s contributions. Ole Miss’ expectations will obviously be higher, especially considering the prolific attack Rebel fans had grown to love under their previous regime. Baker’s return should allow the team to maintain a semblance of continuity in its playbook and (hopefully) put points on the board in bunches again next year.
