Ole Miss announced that offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith will remain with the team for its College Football Playoff semifinal against Miami.
Sources told ESPN that LSU’s administration is allowing both coaches to continue with No. 6 Ole Miss in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night. Weis and Smith are both set to join Lane Kiffin’s staff in Baton Rouge following the Rebels’ playoff run.
The decision reduces the coaching crossover between the two SEC programs. No. 10 Miami will face an Ole Miss team that’s keeping its key offensive coordinators through the semifinal.
Both coaches traveled to Baton Rouge on Monday for recruiting visits before returning to Oxford that same night. The Rebels fly to Arizona on Tuesday for Thursday’s game.
“Our main focus is on winning this game,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter told ESPN. “Charlie has been awesome, juggling two high-profile jobs.”
Two other LSU-bound assistants won’t coach in the Fiesta Bowl.
Tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and receivers coach George McDonald aren’t expected to coach against Miami. Both assisted in Ole Miss’ first two CFP victories before stepping away.
Rebels coach Pete Golding said he’s tried to downplay the coaching situation with his players.
“Our players know what to do. It’s going to have no impact on the game.”
The coaching changes have created off-field complications for Ole Miss. The school’s NIL collective leadership has publicly raised tampering allegations. Speculation about potential transfer portal targets has also swirled around the program.
Ole Miss has secured commitments from some key players for next season.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy have agreed to return for 2026. Kicker Lucas Carneiro also signed a new deal after his Sugar Bowl performance.
Golding said coaching departures are part of college football.
“We’re going to go out there and spot the ball. We’ll be just fine.”
The Rebels enter the semifinal with continuity on offense despite the LSU coaching moves. Weis has coordinated Ole Miss’ high-scoring attack throughout their playoff run.
