The Ole Miss Rebels' historic push for a first national championship since 1962 is being overshadowed by significant off-field turmoil, with quarterback Austin Simmons announcing his departure and a raft of coaches poised to defect to LSU.
Simmons Heads for the Exit
Austin Simmons, the 20-year-old who began the 2025 season as the Rebels' starting quarterback, has declared his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal. His decision comes after he lost the starting role to Trinitas Chambliss, who has since guided the team to the brink of the national title. Simmons, who served as backup to now-New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart last season, started two games this campaign before an ankle injury derailed his progress.
According to ESPN reports, Simmons has a no-contact tag attached to his portal entry, effectively restricting communication to Missouri Tigers, where he is widely expected to land for the 2026 season. He retains two years of eligibility.
Coaching Staff in Limbo Ahead of Semifinal
The quarterback's exit is compounded by a potential mass departure of the Rebels' coaching staff to Lane Kiffin's new regime at LSU. Despite leading Ole Miss to a dramatic 39-34 Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia, head coach Pete Golding could be without several key assistants for next weekend's College Football Playoff semifinal against Miami.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr, tight ends coach Joe Cox, wide receivers coach George McDonald, and running backs coach Kevin Smith have all signed contracts with LSU. An agreement was reached for them to coach the Rebels in the New Year's Day game, but their status for the Miami clash remains uncertain.
"There are going to be some fireworks. We always knew this was going to be a possibility," an Ole Miss source told ESPN. Another source indicated the LSU-bound coaches were initially expected in Baton Rouge this week to host recruits.
Historic Run Overshadowed by Uncertainty
The internal upheaval presents a severe distraction for a programme just two wins away from a historic national championship. The coaches involved are said to be keen to see the playoff run through, but the pull of their new jobs is creating an unprecedented situation.
This follows the messy departure of Kiffin himself, who was refused permission by Ole Miss to coach the team in the postseason despite his and the team's requests. Kiffin has since been attending LSU basketball games rather than watching his former team's playoff run.
With the transfer portal now open and the new Kiffin era beginning in earnest at LSU, Ole Miss must navigate this period of intense transition while preparing for their biggest game in decades. The winner of their semifinal against No. 10 Miami will advance to contest the national title.
