### Ole Miss Faces Coaching Turmoil Ahead of CFP Semifinals As the Ole Miss Rebels prepare for their first appearance in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals against Miami on January 8, 2026, the team is grappling with significant coaching instability. Following the departure of head coach Lane Kiffin to LSU, six assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., are also set to join him. However, Weis Jr. is the only confirmed coach remaining with Ole Miss for the upcoming game, leaving the program in a precarious position as they aim for a historic victory in the playoffs [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ole-miss-coaches-leaving-for-lsu-not-charlie-weis-jr]. ### Coaching Situation Breakdown 1. **Departure of Key Coaches**: Lane Kiffin's move to LSU has triggered a wave of departures among his coaching staff, with six assistants expected to follow him [https://www.si.com/college-football/ole-miss-assistants-lane-kiffin-lsu]. 2. **Charlie Weis Jr.'s Role**: Despite the upheaval, Charlie Weis Jr. has committed to staying with Ole Miss through the CFP semifinal, where he will lead the offense [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lane-kiffin-reportedly-will-let-charlie-weis-jr-run-the-ole-miss-offense-in-cfp-semifinal]. 3. **Uncertainty Surrounding Other Assistants**: The status of the remaining five assistants is unclear, with speculation that they may leave before the semifinal game, complicating preparations for the matchup against Miami [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/lsu_bound_ole_miss_coaches_may_not_remain_with_team_for_cfp_semifinal/s1_127_43277102]. 4. **Impact of the Transfer Portal**: The opening of the transfer portal adds urgency to the situation, as LSU seeks to finalize its coaching staff while Ole Miss tries to maintain continuity during a critical playoff run [https://www.espn.ph/college-football/story/_/id/47479549/ole-miss-cfp-staff-uncertain-kiffin-plots-lsu-transfer-portal-period]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Coaching Changes**: Six Ole Miss assistant coaches have signed contracts to join LSU, creating a potential gap in coaching for the CFP semifinal [https://www.si.com/college-football/ole-miss-assistants-lane-kiffin-lsu]. - **Weis Jr.'s Commitment**: Charlie Weis Jr. is confirmed to remain with Ole Miss, providing some stability amid the chaos [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ole-miss-coaches-leaving-for-lsu-not-charlie-weis-jr]. - **Speculation on Other Coaches**: Reports indicate that the remaining assistants may not coach in the semifinal, leading to uncertainty in game preparation [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lane-kiffins-lsu-assistants-may-not-be-on-loan-to-ole-miss-for-next-round-of-cfp]. ### Conclusion: Navigating Uncertainty in the CFP Semifinals In summary, Ole Miss is facing a challenging situation as they head into the CFP semifinals. The departure of Lane Kiffin and several key assistants has left the program in a state of flux, with only Charlie Weis Jr. confirmed to remain for the crucial game against Miami. The uncertainty surrounding the other coaches could significantly impact the team's performance. 1. **Coaching Instability**: The loss of multiple coaches creates a challenging environment for the Rebels. 2. **Weis Jr.'s Leadership**: His commitment to stay provides a glimmer of hope for continuity. 3. **Urgency of the Transfer Portal**: The timing of the transfer portal opening adds pressure to finalize coaching roles. As Ole Miss prepares for this pivotal game, the outcome may hinge on how well they can adapt to these unexpected changes [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/ole-miss/news/lane-kiffin-lsu-add-drama-ole-miss-cfp-semifinal-push-assistants/9e55109c525ca1a5954a8812].