As spring football gets underway this week for the Ole Miss Rebels, there’s an air of optimism surrounding the program. Coming off a remarkable 2025 campaign that saw them finish with a 13-2 overall record, the Rebels are eager to capitalize on their recent success.
A New Era Under Coach Golding
This year marks head coach Pete Golding’s first full season at the helm after taking over from Lane Kiffin following the Egg Bowl. Golding led Ole Miss to its first-ever College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal berth last season, where they narrowly lost to the Miami Hurricanes in a thrilling game that ended 31-27 in Arizona.
Golding’s vision for the team is clear: continue building on last year’s achievements while instilling a strong work ethic and competitive spirit within his players.
Key Players Returning
One of the most exciting aspects of this spring is watching quarterback Trindad Chambliss return for another season. Last year, Chambliss showcased his talent by participating in all 15 games, passing for an impressive 3,937 yards with 22 touchdowns against just three interceptions. His dual-threat capability was evident as he also rushed for 527 yards and eight touchdowns on 133 carries.
In addition to Chambliss, tailback Kewan Lacy is back in action after an outstanding performance last season. Lacy rushed for 1,567 yards on 306 attempts and found the end zone an incredible 24 times. His ability to break tackles and find gaps will be crucial as Ole Miss navigates through both conference and non-conference opponents this coming season.
Looking Ahead: The Schedule
The Rebels are set to face nine conference games this season, providing plenty of opportunities for growth and competition. Rebels will have seven home games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
One of the most anticipated matchups will occur during their SEC home opener against former head coach Lane Kiffin and his LSU Tigers on September 19th. Other notable home games include clashes against Missouri (October 17), Auburn (October 31), Georgia (November 7), and Mississippi State for the annual Egg Bowl on November 27.
In addition to these conference showdowns, Ole Miss has scheduled two non-conference home games against Charlotte on September 12 and Wofford on November 21. They will also take on Louisville in Nashville at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, September 6—a matchup that promises excitement given Louisville’s status as an ACC Power Four member.
On the road, the Rebels will travel to Gainesville to challenge the Florida Gators on September 26 before heading back to Nashville for a game against Vanderbilt on October 10. A trip to Austin will see them face off against Texas Longhorns on October 24 before concluding their away slate in Norman against Oklahoma Sooners on November 14.
As spring practice unfolds, anticipation builds among players and fans alike about what lies ahead for this talented squad. Spring practices culminate in “Meet The Rebels Day” scheduled for April 25 inside the Manning Center—an event where fans can connect with players and coaches in lieu of a tradtional spring game.
With strong leadership under Coach Golding combined with returning stars like Chambliss and Lacy—and facing strong opponents—the stage is set for another strong chapter in Ole Miss football.
