Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding finalizes postseason staff, Charlie Weis Jr. to call plays in CFP run

OXFORD, Miss. — As Ole Miss gears up for its College Football Playoff run — and just hours away from when the committee will announce this week’s rankings, newly appointed head coach Pete Golding has finalized the staff that will guide the Rebels through December — and the moves include keeping a major piece of the offensive brain trust in place.

Locked in for the @CFBPlayoff 🔒 pic.twitter.com/0WBe7fbYTF

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 2, 2025

Charlie Weis Jr., the team’s offensive coordinator and primary play caller, will remain with Ole Miss through the playoff push. The decision may help ease any concerns the CFP selection committee might have had about continuity.

Alongside Weis Jr., several core offensive assistants will also stay in Oxford for the postseason:
— Joe Judge, quarterbacks coach (staying beyond playoffs)
— Kevin Smith, running backs coach
— John Garrison, offensive line coach (staying beyond playoffs)

Garrison, in particular, was believed to be a top target for Kiffin at LSU. However, as reported by Ben Garrett of the Ole Miss Spirit, Garrison has chosen to remain with the Rebels — and beyond this season.

Shortly after Ole Miss announced its postseason staff alignment, Kiffin himself issued a statement regarding Weis Jr.’s return to the Rebels for the playoffs. Despite reports that Weis has a term sheet in place to become LSU’s next offensive coordinator, the Tigers will allow him to finish the year with Ole Miss.

“With the playoff committee releasing updated rankings tonight, I wanted it to be known that after conversations with LSU, we are allowing Charlie to return to Ole Miss to coach the team during the playoffs,” Kiffin wrote. “I’ve already made the committee aware of this and I’m hopeful this decision will allow Ole Miss to receive the highest ranking possible because these great players are very deserving of that. I’m excited that Charlie will be back to help coach the greatest team in the history of Ole Miss.”

Weis originally joined Kiffin’s staff in 2022, stepping in after Jeff Lebby’s departure to Oklahoma.

Golding also retained his entire defensive staff for the postseason, including co-defensive coordinator Bryan Brown, defensive line coach Randall Joyner, safeties coach Wes Neighbors III, and special teams/nickelbacks coach Jake Schoonover.

Tonight’s CFP rankings will be released at 6:00 p.m. With staff stability locked in and a historic 11–1 regular season behind them, the Rebels now look ahead to Sunday’s Playoff selection — and the opportunity to chase the biggest prize in program history.