Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss Rebels finished 11-1 in the regular season and reached the College Football Playoff, but head coach Lane Kiffin left for SEC rival LSU on Nov. 30, 2025. Ranked sixth, the Rebels defeated Tulane 41-10 in the first round and upset third-ranked Georgia 39-34, avenging a previous loss. Their playoff run ended in a close 31-27 semifinal loss to 10th-ranked Miami, finishing the year 13-2.
Trinidad Chambliss and Pete Golding Look Ahead to 2026 Ole Miss Season
After controversy and a court hearing, the Rebels finally found out they would have Chambliss back in 2026. He addressed the media as the Rebels participated in spring practice. Amid these developments, the narrative surrounding coaches continued. Chambliss was asked about the differences between Kiffin and Pete Golding.
“I’d say just the personalities are a little different than our old coach and coach Golding,” Chambliss said.
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“I’d say he’s more of like a team guy. We really value his leadership, whatever he says. He will show you as fast as I can tell you. He leads by his actions, and we really appreciate that.”
Kiffin is used to these types of comments, though he is usually the one making them. None of this is likely a surprise. Despite his 55-19 record (32-17 SEC) in Oxford over six seasons, he will still be labeled as the coach who quit on Ole Miss before the program’s first playoff appearance.
Golding won two postseason games and quickly endeared himself to Ole Miss fans, narrowly missing a National Championship appearance. Golding now regards Ole Miss as a major program in college football.
“I think Ole Miss is a national brand now,” Golding said. Ole Miss has won at least 10 games in each of the last three seasons, showing it has been one of the elite programs in the sport over that period. Of course, all but those two playoff wins came under Kiffin. Golding is going to have to prove he can keep Ole Miss at a playoff-type level if he wants his statement to ring true.
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Getting Chambliss back will certainly go a long way. Chambliss completed 294-of-445 passes (66.1%) for 3,937 yards with 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions last season. He rushed for another 527 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned a PFSN QB Impact Score of 90.3, which is an A- grade.
Chambliss, Golding, and the Rebels will kick off their season on Sept. 5, 2026, in a neutral-site contest against Louisville in Nashville, Tenn. They will play host to Kiffin and LSU on Sept. 19 in what will be one of the most anticipated games of the season.
