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Ole Miss Reaches CFP Semifinal as LSU-Bound Staff Depart, Tampering Claim Looms

With the transfer portal open, LSU hires who coached the Sugar Bowl traveled to Baton Rouge, leaving Ole Miss unsure which assistants will be available for the Jan. 8 Fiesta Bowl.

Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Pete Golding lifts the trophy after the 2025 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on prior to the game against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Ole Miss upset No. 3 Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals against No. 10 Miami on Jan. 8.
  • Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns and recorded a CFP-record streak of 13 straight completions in the win.
  • Promoted on Nov. 30, head coach Pete Golding has guided the Rebels to CFP victories over Tulane and Georgia following Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU.
  • ESPN and other outlets report multiple assistants who have signed with LSU did not fly back with Ole Miss and went to Baton Rouge as the portal opened, with Charlie Weis Jr. expected to remain for now and broader staff availability uncertain.
  • Newsweek reports Ole Miss is preparing a potential tampering allegation against LSU, while Kiffin’s LSU contract is paying him CFP bonuses tied to Ole Miss’ run, totaling $500,000 after two wins.