Pete Golding takes over as head coach following Ole Miss’ 13-2 College Football Playoff season in 2025, while John David Baker arrives from East Carolina as offensive coordinator. With Trinidad Chambliss back at quarterback and Kewan Lacy returning after averaging 104 rushing yards per game last season, the Rebels enter 2026 with continuity at key offensive spots. Update (Oct. 14): RB Kewan Lacy returned against Vanderbilt after missing the Florida game with a shoulder injury. He rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, with Ole Miss limiting his workload as he works back toward full strength. Michigan State transfer Makhi Frazier joins the backfield after averaging 58 yards per game in 2025. Luke Hasz returns at tight end, and the Rebels also feature Deuce Alexander, who made 44 catches last season. Update (Oct. 14): Alexander has emerged as one of Ole Miss’ leading receiving targets, catching five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown against Vanderbilt. He was also named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list in October. The Rebels must replace their top two receivers, Harrison Wallace and De’Zhaun Stribling. Still, Syracuse transfers Johntay Cook II and Darrell Gill Jr. join the receiving corps after recording 45 and 32 receptions, respectively, in 2025. The offensive line returns three full-time interior starters, with Brycen Sanders and Patrick Kutas each making 15 starts last season and Delano Townsend making 11, while Ole Miss features new starters at both tackle positions.

Bryan Brown, who served on Golding’s staff last season, takes over as defensive coordinator. Ole Miss returns just three of its top eleven tacklers from 2025, but all three were full-time starters. Defensive ends Suntarine Perkins and William Echoles each started all 15 games, while Kam Franklin also made 15 starts along the defensive front. The secondary returns Antonio Kite after making 12 starts and Jaylon Braxton after making eight. The linebacker group adds experienced transfers Keaton Thomas from Baylor and Luke Ferrelli from California, each making 12 starts last season. Ole Miss also adds considerable experience through the transfer portal, with Jalyn Crawford and Edwin Joseph each coming off 10-start seasons, Joenel Aguero making 12 starts, and Sharif Denson making 11.

Jake Schoonover returns as special teams coordinator, with Lucas Carneiro back at placekicker and Oscar Bird returning at punter. Izaiah Hartrup also returns in the return game and could take on a larger role on punt returns following Wallace’s departure.

Ole Miss enters 2026 with continuity at quarterback, running back, and along the interior offensive line, but significant turnover elsewhere after its College Football Playoff run. Lacy’s return provides a boost to the backfield, while Alexander has developed into a leading receiving option. The Rebels return only three of last season’s top eleven tacklers, although all three started every game, while an experienced group of defensive transfers gives Golding and Brown several proven options throughout the rebuilt unit.