Bold headline-worthy conflict: Ole Miss’s Charlie Weis Jr. will return to coach the Rebels in the CFP after briefly leaving with Lane Kiffin to LSU. Weis boarded a plane to join Kiffin on Sunday, but by Tuesday both schools confirmed he’ll be back in Oxford to oversee the playoff push, with Kiffin’s blessing.
In a formal statement, Weis expressed gratitude to LSU for the chance to finish the season with Ole Miss. He added that Kiffin and LSU administration have been supportive and that he’s excited about the Playoff run.
Kiffin explained that permitting Weis to return helped Ole Miss avoid potential penalties from the College Football Playoff committee for a disrupted coaching staff. He said he had informed the committee of the arrangement and hopes it will help Ole Miss secure the highest possible ranking, arguing that the Rebels’ players deserve it. Kiffin praised Weis as he rejoined the team, calling Ole Miss “the greatest team in the history” of the program.
Weis Jr. was among four Ole Miss staffers who left for LSU on Sunday with Kiffin: receivers coach George McDonald, strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage, and general manager Billy Glasscock. Ole Miss’ official staff listing did not include McDonald, Savage, or Glasscock, and also notably did not name a receivers coach or a tight ends coach among eight listed assistants.
In other CFP news, the 11-1 Rebels closed the regular season with a 38-19 win over rival Mississippi State. They’re anticipated to host a first-round CFP game later this month, contingent on a ranking between No. 5 and No. 8. A week ago, Ole Miss sat at No. 7 before Texas A&M’s upset loss to Texas (which reshuffled the rankings).
About the author: David Ubben is a senior writer for The Athletic, specializing in college football. He has previously covered college sports for ESPN, Fox Sports Southwest, The Oklahoman, Sports on Earth, and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, among others. Follow him on Twitter at @davidubben.
