OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — As Pete Golding gears up for his inaugural head-coaching role with Ole Miss in a College Football Playoff game, he is conveying a clear message: the Rebels are “focused on the mission, not the man.” This “man” refers to former coach Lane Kiffin, known for crafting the Rebels” explosive offense.
Kiffin had expressed a desire to continue coaching Ole Miss during the postseason, despite having accepted a lucrative offer to lead LSU starting in 2026. However, his departure was finalized on November 30, triggering significant changes within the coaching staff that the No. 6 seed Rebels must navigate as they prepare to face the 11th-seeded Tulane in a first-round playoff matchup on Saturday.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Meanwhile, Oklahoma“s Brent Venables and Alabama“s Kalen DeBoer are both familiar with the challenges that come from leading prominent college football programs. Each has taken over from a successful predecessor, with DeBoer stepping in for Nick Saban and Venables succeeding Lincoln Riley.
This Friday night, eighth-seeded Oklahoma will host ninth-seeded Alabama in a pivotal College Football Playoff clash. Venables has acknowledged the criticisms he faces but remains steadfast in his belief that the journey is worthwhile. Key contributions from Oklahoma”s defense and special teams have been instrumental this season. Similarly, DeBoer, who took over from Saban, has confronted his own set of difficulties but is committed to his role at Alabama, pushing back against rumors of potential coaching opportunities elsewhere.
