Ole Miss offensive coordinator John David Baker is accomplished. He has worked…and learned…from some of the greatest offensive minds in the game.
Problem is…Baker’s Ole Miss offense has to play several of those mentors this fall.
OleMiss365.com asked Baker a simple question: Where is the razor’s edge in those relationships, specifically with Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby and the LSU tandem of Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis. Where do the old friendships and familiarity end and we get down to trying beat one another.
“It’s one thing of you’ve got people you’ve worked with, people you consider friends working at other places you’re going to play,” responded Baker. “It doesn’t help that a lot of those people are now at your two rival schools. It is. It’s a fine line, because it’s not just on a Saturday in the fall. It’s in recruiting, it’s everything.
“At the end of the day, it is what it is. We’re all competitive, and dammit, I want to win,” Baker smiled. “That’s where I draw the line. At the end of the day. I want to win. It is what it is, but that’s where I draw it.”
Ole Miss hosts one of those rivals Baker spoke of…the LSU Tigers…on Sept. 19. Of course, that’s where former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin now runs a program. And to top it all off, former Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is the Tigers’ O.C.
During the Rebels’ run through the College Football Playoffs last season, Weis remained as the Ole Miss play-caller after Kiffin bolted for Baton Rouge. Baker, who had been doing incredible things as the offensive coordinator at East Carolina, worked alongside Weis during that stretch, as his ECU completed it season earlier in the Military Bowl.
Ole Miss offensive coordinator John David Baker at the podium on Friday.
Baker admitted that it was a “weird” situation.
“It’s the craziest time in my career,” said Baker. “Definitely. I’ve jokingly told people , but it’s the truth. This is probably the only building n the country that could handle something like that. Also, Charlie handled it like a pro. He was the ultimate professional and obviously he did a great job throughout the playoffs. he and I have a great relationship. We worked together for two years here.
“It was weird…because at the end of the day you know next year I’m going to be playing against that guy.
The Rebels open the 2026 season in Nashville at Nissan Stadium on Sun. Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. CT versus the Louisville Cardinals.