Andrea AdelsonJan 7, 2026, 12:25 PM ETClose ACC reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2010. Graduate of the University of Florida.Follow on X
Why Greg McElroy has been so impressed by ‘Superman’ Trinidad Chambliss (1:39)Greg McElroy heaps praise on Trinidad Chambliss and explains why he’ll be critical again when Ole Miss faces Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. (1:39)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ole Miss coach Pete Golding scoffed at the idea that he had sent a message with two College Football Playoff wins after Lane Kiffin left for LSU, saying Wednesday, “I don’t have s— to say to anybody.”
Golding was asked during the final news conference before his team plays Miami in the CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl if he had something to say to Kiffin or those who doubted Ole Miss would be in this situation after the events of the past six weeks or so.
Kiffin left Ole Miss after an 11-1 regular season to take the LSU coaching job Nov. 30, and Golding was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach shortly thereafter. The Rebels beat Tulane and upset Georgia to make it to the semifinals, pushing past the chaos that had enveloped the program.
As part of his answer, Golding also said, “You want to build a program to where it’s heading in the right direction, and one person, one player, is not going to derail that. There’s been too much investment in that, and it’s been aligned correctly that one person is not going to impact something so drastically. If it is, it’s probably not built right.”
Golding also confirmed that offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith will coach in Thursday’s game, while tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald will not. All four coaches are joining Kiffin at LSU and coached in the quarterfinals.
“They have another job that is paying them, and they have a responsibility, and at this time, the way the calendar is now, they have 35 guys that are in the portal, and they have to build a team,” Golding said. “Do they want to be here? You’re damn right they do. But they’ve got a job to do, and they’ve got to build a team where they’re at.” He added that Ole Miss has “plenty of people” to help coach.
Why Greg McElroy has been so impressed by ‘Superman’ Trinidad Chambliss (1:39)Greg McElroy heaps praise on Trinidad Chambliss and explains why he’ll be critical again when Ole Miss faces Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. (1:39)
Greg McElroy heaps praise on Trinidad Chambliss and explains why he’ll be critical again when Ole Miss faces Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. (1:39)
Golding said Kiffin’s departure “couldn’t happen at a better time for the players.
Close ACC reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2010. Graduate of the University of Florida.Follow on X