College football analyst doesn’t believe 2026 will be Ole Miss’ year under new head coach
The college football season is quickly approaching, and soon a new year will begin. Twelve teams will look to make it back to the College Football Playoff, and Ole Miss will be among those hoping to return.
After a magical run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, some might expect the Rebels to make it all the way to the national championship game. However, reality could prove a little tougher. After all, their head coach left in the middle of their run to take the LSU job.
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Pete Golding took over the program and will now look to keep it moving forward. Paul Finebaum believes Golding is the right man for the job, but 2026 could be a difficult year of transition for the first-year head coach.
“Golding has to survive a couple of very difficult moments. I think the Louisville game will be a test. I don’t think that game is a slam dunk. Ole Miss should win, but how does Golding handle that weekend? It will be unlike anything he has encountered,” Finebaum said.
“He has done very well, and I think he’s up for the moment. But dealing with Kiffin and the talent on the other side later in the season will be remarkable.”
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Ole Miss enjoyed an incredible run in 2025. There’s no doubt, though, that former head coach Lane Kiffin still played a major role in that success. Although he left before the playoffs began, the roster and some of his offensive staff remained in place.
Golding was also a key member of that staff before earning the promotion to head coach. To Finebaum’s point, there is legitimate reason to question what this team will look like under its new leader.
However, that isn’t to say Golding can’t put together another strong run. In reality, this is still a playoff-caliber team, headlined by the return of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
The bigger question is whether Golding can replicate the deep postseason run he helped create last season. If he can, it would make for an impressive first — or rather then second — year on the job for Golding.
