Ole Miss OC John David Baker Talks Scheme Evolution, Chambliss’ Drive, Lacy’s Return
OXFORD, Miss. — For the first time since stepping into his role as Ole Miss’ offensive coordinator, John David Baker offered a glimpse into how the Rebels’ offense will operate under his direction — and while the foundation may feel familiar, the details reveal a system that has continued to evolve. Drawing from years of experience under some of college football’s most respected offensive minds, Baker is shaping an approach built on balance, physicality, and a quarterback-driven attack led by Trinidad Chambliss.
Baker returned to Ole Miss in December after spending two seasons as a first-time offensive coordinator at East Carolina, where his units produced at least 5,576 yards of total offense and averaged more than 32 points per game.
Baker’s scheme developed with his journey–but it will be ‘80% exactly the same’
If Ole Miss fans wonder what the offense will look like this coming season, Baker has an answer.
“I would say 80% of it is exactly the same that it’s been. [Tempo] will always be the basis of what we do. The other thing I learned the most is picking your poison — knowing when it’s time to go fast, when it’s time not to, when to slow it down, and what you’re trying to accomplish with the tempo. In the early years of our time here, [tempo] was used as an equalizer. Now we feel like it’s gotten to the point where the talent level that we have in the room, now it’s an advantage for us, and we’ve got to use it the right way. We’ve got to pick our spots with it. But that will always be the core of this offense.” — John David Baker on his offense
Baker’s scheme is similar to that of the Rebels’ former head coach as well as former OC Charlie Weis Jr. However, the OC has developed his system further over the course of the last several years. Learning under some of the best allowed Baker to absorb knowledge from some of the best in the business. From people like Graham Harrell to Lane Kiffin, Baker has had an opportunity to learn and adapt things from their systems.
“Yeah. I mean, obviously, it starts for me, it all starts all the way back at North Texas with Seth Littrell and Graham Harrell. They were two air raid guys who played and coached for Mike Leach. That’s where I got started. You know, first six, seven years of my career, and then coming here in 2021, obviously Coach Kiffin had a huge part of that. And then Jeff Lebby, and then from those two places, basically pieced together what we do offensively.“
John David Baker on influences in his coaching career
Baker used to run more of an air raid system, something he learned from the late Leach. This play style changed once he got to Ole Miss and started working with the tight ends. Baker’s philosophy, however, is now rooted in making sure the ground game is effective.
“Yeah, this whole thing starts up front, and it starts in the run game. And you know, if you look at our time at East Carolina, you know, our best games, our most successful times, were times when we ran the football effectively, and there’s a commitment to it. You know, this last year, we averaged almost 200 yards a game. I think, go look at every game, and we scored 40-plus points. We ran the ball for over 200 yards. And so it’s always going to be where this thing starts and stops, because if we can run the football, especially in this league, it’s going to open up the other things that we want to do.“
John David Baker on his change in philosophy during his time at Ole Miss
No stranger to working for a defensive head coach
Working under a defensive-minded head coach at ECU provided Baker with a broader perspective, one that has helped prepare him for his second turn with the Rebels under former defensive coordinator and now head coach, Pete Golding.
“ECU was my first time in my career working for a defensive head coach, which was awesome,” Baker said. “They weren’t offensive guys who had years and years of experience in the system. So as I’m game-planning, as we’re going through it, finding the answers or finding things that are wrong in what we’re doing, that was kind of all on me.
“Learning from my experiences and my mistakes was huge. I didn’t have an older guy in the room who had called plays in this offense before to help me. I had a great staff around me that helped me game-plan and do all those things, but I didn’t have an older guy in the room to help me with some of that.
“So it allowed me to learn by fire that first year and just try to learn as fast as I could and get better and better and better, because you’re prepared, you’re ready to be a play-caller, but there are still a lot of things you learn as you go through it. I definitely did that the last two years there.”
JDB has high praise for Chambliss, Lacy
Baker was asked about his quarterback, and he had high praise for the talented Chambliss. With a system that is much like Weis Jr.’s, Chambliss has everything at his fingertips to match — or exceed — what he did last year. Baker also touched on Chambliss being a perfectionist, even this early in the preseason.
“Yeah, Trinidad is exactly what you want in the quarterback position, ultra competitive, a perfectionist. He wants it right the first time. It’s a great example today (last Friday). You know, we go third downs for the first time, and you know, there’s some install involved in that, and he’s doing it with some new receivers, new tight ends that he’s never played with before. And he wants it to be perfect. And you know, that’s what you love about him, because he’s pissed off if it ain’t….“
John David Baker on Trinidad Chambliss
Baker also talked about where he was when the news about Chambliss’ preliminary injunction getting granted, in effect allowing for the QB to return for 2o26. Baker said while he obviously was excited to get the talented quarterback back, he was happy for off-the-field reasons, too.
“It was hard a little bit, you know, to be frank with you, as far as, like, during the transfer portal, you know, because that’s if I’m a receiver, if I’m a skilled guy, that’s my first question. Who’s the quarterback? And, you know, I can tell them, tell them blue in the face of that, it’s going to be trending that Chambliss, but until it’s official, that was a hard sell. But, you know, obviously had confidence in his case and what was going to happen going forward. But it was, it was definitely interesting, and it was, it was a hard question to navigate, but obviously, we’re pretty pleased with the final result, just based on procedures done.“
John David Baker on recruiting while Trinidad was still an unknown
Rebels’ star running back Kewan Lacy returned to Ole Miss for another season, in part because he believes in Baker’s vision. The offensive coordinator is excited that Kewan is back and is ready to work with him and help him develop even more.
“I think for us too, it was one of the relationships early on that had to get started. And it was, I’ve told these guys, like, I don’t take it lightly, that they chose to stay here and put their faith in me, because a lot’s riding on a guy like him….I want to help him exceed those expectations. And that’s my sell to every guy in the room. Like, whatever you want to do. Like, if I’m Kewan Lacy and I want to be First Team All American. I want to be a first-round draft pick…whatever I can do to help you, I want to do it.“
John David Baker on his relationship with Kewan Lacy
Final thoughts
Baker discussed other things, such as how weird it was being a part of the team during the playoff run, but not doing anything on the field.
“It was the craziest time in my career, definitely, and I’ve, I’ve jokingly told people, but it’s the truth…this is the only building in the country that could probably have handled a situation like that.“
John David Baker
As spring practice continues, the pieces of Ole Miss’ offense are still coming together, but the direction is clear. With a commitment to the run game, a quarterback wired for perfection, and playmakers who believe in the system, Baker’s vision is beginning to take shape. The real test will come in the fall, but early signs suggest the Rebels are not reinventing who they are — they’re refining it.
Next Up:
Next up is the media’s next practice viewing tomorrow. The Rebel Walk has reporters on site and will bring you all of the coverage of the practice and following press conferences.
Luke Dunavant
Luke Dunavant is a junior at the University of Mississippi, majoring in Journalism, with an emphasis in Sports Media and a minor in Sports Management. He is originally from Hernando, Mississippi, and graduated high school from Magnolia Heights. His favorite sports are basketball, football, and soccer. Growing up, he played baseball, football, and soccer at different points, immersing himself in the world of sports. He tries to always bring the same passion he had playing sports into covering them.
