Ole Miss coach clarified status of LSU-bound assistants before CFP semifinal
Pete Golding said it’s up to LSU on which former Ole Miss assistants — now on Lane Kiffin’s Tigers staff — are allowed to coach in the College Football Playoff semifinal, and those decisions are starting to come into focus.
Running backs coach Kevin Smith won’t return for the Rebels’ game Thursday in the Fiesta Bowl against No. 10-seed Miami, according to 247Sports, while offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is likely “the only one of the main LSU assistants” to continue with their former team the rest of the postseason.
🎬 Get Free Netflix Logins
Claim your free working Netflix accounts for streaming in HD! Limited slots available for active users only.
- No subscription required
- Works on mobile, PC & smart TV
- Updated login details daily
Tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald have also signed contracts and decided to follow Kiffin to LSU, according to ESPN.
Their status remains unclear after reportedly being on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge for visits when the transfer portal opened Friday.
“They have every opportunity like they have up to this point to be able to make that decision,” Golding told reporters Saturday, according to ESPN. “So week in and week out, I don’t dictate whether they do that or not, because they’re not employed by me. Up to this point, that’s how it’s been, and that’s my expectation.”
This all becomes the latest wrinkle in the Kiffin saga that has linked the pair of programs throughout the end of 2025 until the Ole Miss run ends, with Kiffin bolting for LSU and its seven-year, $91 million contract after the Ole Miss regular season.
He wasn’t allowed to coach the No. 6-seed Rebels in the CFP despite wanting to.
Instead, Golding took over as head coach and led Ole Miss to a convincing win over Tulane in the first round and then a shocking upset of Georgia in the quarterfinals.
The assistants who followed Kiffin were allowed to coach the Rebels up until this point, but an anonymous source told ESPN that there “are going to be some fireworks” for this next stage.
“Our players know what to do,” Golding said, according to ESPN. “It’s going to have no impact on the game. Keep blowing it up and making it a big deal, it’d be great.”
The winner of the Ole Miss-Miami semifinal will advance to face either No. 5-seed Oregon or No. 1-seed Indiana in the championship game.
Let’s be honest—no matter how stressful the day gets, a good viral video can instantly lift your mood. Whether it’s a funny pet doing something silly, a heartwarming moment between strangers, or a wild dance challenge, viral videos are what keep the internet fun and alive.