The coaching saga between Ole Miss and LSU continues as the Rebels prepare for the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Will offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. be allowed to coach Ole Miss in Thursday night’s game against Miami?
Can Charlie Weis Jr. Still Coach for Ole Miss?
— Charlie Weis Jr (@WeisJr_M) December 2, 2025
When Ole Miss plays on Thursday night, Weis will still be calling plays for the Rebels.
Per ESPN, the LSU administration is allowing Weis and running backs coach Kevin Smith to coach No. 6 Ole Miss in the team’s Fiesta Bowl matchup against No. 10 Miami.
Weis and Smith have already signed contracts to follow former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to LSU.
The duo has been pulling double duty so far as they prepare Ole Miss for a College Football Playoff run and recruit for LSU.
There had been speculation that the Ole Miss coaches following Kiffin to LSU would not be able to coach the Rebels in the CFP. Tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald, who are joining the LSU staff, are not expected to coach in Ole Miss’ game against Miami.
“Our main focus is on winning this game,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter told ESPN on Tuesday. “Charlie has been awesome, juggling two high-profile jobs. He’s been incredible. We have no complaints.”
It’s been a complicated last month for Ole Miss. It all started when Kiffin left Ole Miss on Nov. 30 to become LSU’s next head coach. Kiffin is now one of the highest-paid coaches in college football after signing a massive seven-year, $91 million contract.
The big question was whether Kiffin could still coach Ole Miss despite leaving for LSU. Instead of allowing Kiffin to coach in the CFP, Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach.
Under Golding’s leadership, Ole Miss defeated No. 11 Tulane in the opening round and No. 3 Georgia in the quarterfinals.
Now, Ole Miss is two wins away from its first national championship since 1960.
The Future of Ole Miss Football Looks Bright
Kewan Lacy is staying HOME in 2026.@kewanlacy22 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/RkvXRROOJj
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 6, 2026
The idea of Ole Miss coaches remaining on staff despite signing a contract with LSU created potential tampering issues.
There were rumors that quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy would enter the transfer portal.
Those rumors were put to bed this week, as Chambliss and Lacy signed deals to return to Ole Miss next season. Chambliss is still awaiting NCAA approval for a sixth year of eligibility.
For now, Ole Miss is focused on winning Thursday night’s game and advancing to their first College Football Playoff championship.
