OXFORD — Ole Miss football coach Pete Golding‘s first offseason as a head coach has been a busy one.
He is entering his first full season as the coach of the Rebels in 2026. Golding was thrust into the spotlight when he was named as Lane Kiffin’s replacement before the College Football Playoff.
Advertisement
Golding has only been a head coach in CFP games. He is 2-1 with a home win over Tulane and a Sugar Bowl win against Georgia.
Kiffin’s departure for LSU led to significant overhaul on the roster and the coaching staff.
Ole Miss will begin spring practices on March 27. There will not be a spring game, but Meet the Rebels is on April 25.
Before the Rebels start practice, here’s how we graded Ole Miss’ notable offseason decisions.
Pete Golding hired OC John David Baker, lost DC Patrick Toney
A late shakeup has thrown the Ole Miss coaching staff back into question.
Approximately seven weeks after Golding hired Patrick Toney to be the Rebels’ defensive coordinator on Jan. 7, Toney took a job with the Atlanta Falcons. Golding will need to settle on a backup plan and get the replacement up to speed.
Advertisement
Toney originally left his position as the safeties coach for the Arizona Cardinals, where he’d been for three seasons. He was hired as the Falcons defensive pass game coordinator.
Offensive coordinator John David Baker was a nice addition. He has success as East Carolina’s offensive coordinator over the past two seasons. He runs a fast-paced offense, and has a history working with Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Grade: C
Ole Miss has No. 2 transfer portal class behind Lane Kiffin, LSU
There’s more to Ole Miss’ transfer portal class than who came in.
Two of the Rebels’ biggest wins were retaining quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy
Advertisement
The Rebels brought in 29 transfer portal players. It amounted to the No. 2-ranked incoming class in the nation behind LSU, according to 247Sports.
Syracuse receiver Darrell Gill and Baylor linebacker Keaton Thomas are some of the transfers who project to make an immediate impact.
The only thing pulling Ole Miss’ grade down a bit are the late departures of defensive end Princewill Umanmielen and linebacker TJ Dottery. Those players were two of the last Rebels to transfer, and both went to LSU to heighten the sting.
Grade: A-
Pete Golding accused of tampering by Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Golding has been embroiled in a messy situation. Now it’s up to the NCAA to administer punishment if it deems necessary.
Advertisement
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called out Golding Jan. 23. He accused Ole Miss of tampering with former Cal linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
Swinney read a detailed timeline that said Ferrelli enrolled at Clemson. Swinney said Golding texted Ferrelli a picture of a $1 million contract. Ferrelli later transferred to Ole Miss.
Swinney said Clemson has turned the information over to the NCAA.
Separately, a report from John Canzano on Jan. 29 indicated Fresno State has been in contact with the NCAA about Ole Miss potentially tampering. The report said an Ole Miss staffer made “improper contact” with Fresno State wide receiver Josiah Freeman, who did not wind up transferring to Ole Miss.
Advertisement
MORE: The best Pete Golding stories we could find from a football tryout in jeans to casino magic
Ole Miss will wait on the NCAA’s ruling and, potentially, punishments. Precedent indicates a suspension is among the potential penalties.
This could put a damper on Golding’s first full season, especially if he’s unavailable for the opener on Sept. 6 against Louisville.
Grade: D
Ole Miss 2026 recruiting class similar to Lane Kiffin’s rankings
Ole Miss signed 22 high school players in its 2026 class. It is ranked as the No. 22 recruiting class nationally, per the 247Sports Composite.
That’s about on par for where Ole Miss tended to rank under Kiffin.
Advertisement
Ole Miss was No. 16 in 2025, No. 21 in 2024 and No. 23 in 2023.
The Rebels don’t have any incoming five-star players, but there are eight four-star recruits. Wide receiver Jace Matthews (No. 95 nationally), edge rusher Landon Barnes (No. 116) and running back Damarius Yates (No. 178) are the top-ranked recruits.
Grade: B
Trinidad Chambliss’ win in court big for Pete Golding
Although he wasn’t directly involved with Chambliss’ injunction lawsuit hearing like assistant coach Joe Judge, Golding was undoubtedly pleased with the result.
On Feb. 12, Judge Robert Whitwell awarded Chambliss an injunction against the NCAA. On March 5, the NCAA asked the Mississippi State Supreme Court for an interlocutory review of Whitwell’s decision. The NCAA needs the Mississippi State Supreme Court to both agree to take the case, and overturn the ruling.
Advertisement
The NCAA asked for an expedited ruling, while Chambliss’ lawyers argued is not possible on March 16.
As it currently stands, Chambliss can return to Ole Miss for the 2026 season. He will be a Heisman Trophy favorite entering the season.
Expect Ole Miss to play with a blazing pace on offense with Chambliss and Lacy leading the way.
Grade: A+
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss coach Pete Golding grades, tampering to Trinidad Chambliss
