Pete Golding expects departing Ole Miss assistants to coach in Fiesta Bowl
By Andrew Olson
Published:
One of the more interesting storylines of Ole Miss’s College Football Playoff run has been the assistant coaches juggling two jobs. Upon leaving Ole Miss for LSU, Lane Kiffin hired 6 members of his Ole Miss staff as part of his LSU staff.
For the first two Ole Miss Playoff games under new head coach Pete Golding, the assistants leaving for LSU continued coaching the Rebels, working two jobs. With the transfer portal opening Friday and Kiffin’s LSU staff actively hosting and recruiting prospects, there were questions about whether those members of Ole Miss 2025 staff would remain with the Rebels for the CFP run or leave for their new jobs at LSU. Even Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter expressed uncertainty after the Sugar Bowl.
Golding was asked about the situation during a Saturday media availability and downplayed concerns. Golding said the situation is out of his hands as the staffers are not employed by him, but he said it’s his expectation that they will be with Ole Miss for the Fiesta Bowl.
Here was Pete Golding’s answer when asked whether staff employed by LSU will coach with Ole Miss through the entire CFP pic.twitter.com/0mG7jGE5Az
— Michael Katz (@MichaelLKatz) January 3, 2026
Golding further stated he’s not concerned if Ole Miss loses some assistant coaches to LSU for the Fiesta Bowl.
Pete Golding was asked (repeatedly) when he might know if any of the current assistants who are leaving for LSU will opt out of Fiesta Bowl.
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) January 3, 2026
"That would not be any excuse for success or not….But y'all can keep blowing it up and making a big deal out of it. We're going to go…
Ole Miss and Miami face off on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET for a spot in the CFP National Championship.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
