The Uncertainty Surrounding Ole Miss’ Coaching Staff for the Fiesta Bowl

Despite not being a major issue in the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding continues to face questions about who will be coaching in the Fiesta Bowl. This topic has dominated conversations since the conclusion of the Sugar Bowl, with many wondering how the team’s coaching staff will look for the upcoming game.

On Friday, Charlie Weis, Jr., Kevin Smith, Joe Cox, and George McDonald made their way up I-10 to Baton Rouge just hours after defeating Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Their destination? LSU, where they are now working under head coach Lane Kiffin. This move has sparked speculation about the future of the Ole Miss coaching staff and what it means for the Fiesta Bowl.

In the less than 48 hours since the Sugar Bowl ended, the only talking point has been the potential changes in the coaching staff. While many are concerned, Golding himself seems unfazed by the ongoing discussion.

“There’s people in everyone room. Our players know what to do. It’s going to have no impact on the game. But y’all can keep blowing it up and making it a big deal. It’d be great,” Golding said during his first Fiesta Bowl press conference on Saturday.

The questions surrounding who will coach and who will not continue to weigh on Golding. ESPN’s Heather Dinich and Brandon Marcello have been among those asking Golding about the situation.

One thing that Golding did confirm is that Charlie Weis will be coaching and calling the plays on offense for the Fiesta Bowl. He also mentioned that he has been in communication with Kiffin throughout the process.

As for the rest of the coaching staff?

“Communication has been constant the entire time,” Golding said. “Everybody does this, you know? Everybody’s tarting us on this. There’s multiple teams that have coordinators that have other jobs. They’re taking head jobs everywhere else. …So they’re all doing two jobs. They have a responsibility to the next institution they’re gonna work at.

“The idea is the same guys that have coached the same positions all year will do that in this game. Like they have up to this point. …They have every opportunity like they have up to this point to be able to make that decision. 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 is how it’s been and that’s my expectation.”

Golding and Ole Miss have backup plans in place in case some coaches decide to leave and finish the playoff run. Former LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson was with Ole Miss at the Sugar Bowl and was officially hired last week. John David Baker has been back in Oxford for weeks, shadowing Weis and preparing for the transfer portal chaos.

The biggest factor in keeping things consistent is Weis, who Golding confirmed will be returning. Any other additions would be extra, and there are bodies in the Manning Center ready to fill those roles if needed.

“One thing about Division I football, this building is filled with guys that have been elite coaches everywhere they’ve been,” Golding said. “As long as they’re employed here, you can have a million coaches that can instruct on the field. So, at every college across the country a lot of guys that y’all don’t know by name are actually the ones instructing and teaching players. So we have an elite staff here that’s been together for a long time that knows the ins and outs.

“So we got plenty. That would not be any reason for success or lack of success within this game. The play callers haven’t changed.”