Michael Bacigalupi
By Matt Moscona
As Ole Miss begins preparations for its College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Miami, the future of LSU assistants working on the Rebels’ staff is in doubt.
A source familiar with the situation told LouisianaSports.net continuing to allow LSU assistants to coach Ole Miss much longer is “not realistic.”
A report from Ross Dellenger at Yahoo! Friday indicated some or all of the LSU assistants could move on and not coach the Rebels next week. Ole Miss plays Miami Thursday in the Fiesta Bowl with a spot in the national championship game on the line.
It remains unclear if six Ole Miss assistants who’ve signed with LSU will coach the Rebels in the CFP semifinals next week vs. Miami, per Yahoo Sports’ @RossDellenger.
Many around the program expect some or all to officially join the LSU staff and move on. pic.twitter.com/rL3yj4hAfv
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 2, 2026
Dellenger also reported previously Ole Miss is preparing to file tampering allegations against Lane Kiffin and LSU. LouisianaSports.net has confirmed the Ole Miss athletic department is compiling a comprehensive case against Kiffin in an attempt to prove he had conversations with Rebels’ players about joining him at LSU.
Allowing LSU coaches in the Ole Miss facility while alleging tampering could conceivably diminish the validity of the allegations.
LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. is among the coaches wanting the stay with Ole Miss through their CFP run, sources confirm. Weis was one of Kiffin’s assistants that was initially hesitant about joining the LSU staff. His initial offer sheet from LSU for $6 million over three years was bumped to $7.5 million over that period. There is also a “look-in” clause guaranteeing he remain the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC.
In order to protect against Weis leaving the program, the sides agreed to a buyout clause worth 300 percent of Weis’s salary, roughly $7.5 million, should he leave LSU before April 1. Pete Golding has hired John David Baker as his offensive coordinator to replace Weis after the CFP.
Part of the urgency on LSU’s part is the importance of the transfer portal window which opened Friday. As LSU recruits its 2026 roster, which is expected to be transfer heavy, Kiffin would like to have his staff in place. The Tigers signed only 14 players in the December high school signing period.
Kiffin has been among the most aggressive coaches in the country in using the portal to build his roster. The 2025 Ole Miss team consists of 30 portal additions.
The transfer portal window is open from Jan. 2-16. Players on teams still active in the CFP have an extra five-day window to enter the portal after their season ends.
A decision is expected quickly as Ole Miss is set to begin preparation for their game against the Hurricanes this weekend.
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