LSU Permits Charlie Weis Jr. to Coach Ole Miss in College Football Playoff Semifinal
OXFORD, Miss. — In a rare arrangement amid a flurry of coaching changes, Louisiana State University (LSU) has granted offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. permission to continue coaching at Ole Miss for Thursday’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Miami. Weis Jr., who recently accepted a position with LSU following head coach Lane Kiffin’s move to Baton Rouge, will remain on the Rebels’ sideline for the high-stakes contest.
The decision comes as part of an ongoing coaching exodus from Ole Miss after Kiffin’s departure, which saw multiple key assistants—including Weis Jr., tight ends coach Joe Cox, and wide receivers coach George McDonald—sign contracts with LSU. However, Cox and McDonald are not expected to participate in the semifinal, leaving Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith as the primary Ole Miss coaches retained for the game, according to reports.
Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, who assumed leadership following Kiffin’s exit, acknowledged the fluidity surrounding staff availability. “They have every opportunity like they have up to this point to be able to make that decision,” Golding said. “Week in and week out, I don’t dictate whether they do that or not, because they’re not employed by me. Up to this point, that’s how it’s been, and that’s my expectation.”
The unusual coaching arrangement follows Ole Miss’s impressive playoff run, which included a decisive victory over Tulane in the opening round and a Sugar Bowl triumph against No. 3 Georgia. The Rebels now prepare to face No. 10 Miami, with the winner advancing to challenge either No. 1 Indiana or No. 5 Oregon for the national championship.
Ole Miss barred Kiffin from finishing the season with the team, but LSU agreed to pay his College Football Playoff bonuses, highlighting the complex dynamics between the programs. Despite LSU reportedly targeting key Ole Miss players such as quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, and kicker Lucas Carneiro, all three chose to remain with the Rebels.
This coaching saga unfolds amid the broader context of the College Football Playoff, which is overseen by the College Football Playoff Organization. LSU’s willingness to allow Weis Jr. to coach against Miami reflects a spirit of cooperation rare in such competitive circumstances.
For more on coaching transitions and playoff developments, the NCAA provides comprehensive updates on college sports governance. Additionally, the ESPN College Football portal offers in-depth coverage of team rosters and coaching changes.
As the Rebels prepare for their semifinal showdown, the spotlight remains on how these coaching decisions will impact team dynamics and performance. The game promises to be a pivotal moment in a season marked by unexpected shifts and intense competition.
Leave a Reply