Bold claim: Charlie Weis Jr. calling Ole Miss’ plays in the CFP is a major plus for the Rebels. That headline was confirmed on Tuesday, when Ole Miss announced that offensive coordinator Weis would return to call plays during the College Football Playoff run. Weis was part of a contingent that flew to Baton Rouge with Lane Kiffin, and he’s widely expected to become LSU’s next offensive coordinator. For the immediate future, though, he’s back in Oxford to guide Ole Miss through the CFP.
Weis’ collaboration with Kiffin goes back years, first teaming up at Alabama in 2015 and 2016, then reuniting at FAU after a stint apart. In 2020, Weis moved on to become USF’s offensive coordinator. The reunion at Ole Miss began in 2022 when Weis took on the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and the two have remained aligned ever since. It’s reasonable to expect that arrangement to continue into LSU territory, should circumstances evolve.
During a recent episode of The Triple Option podcast, College Football Hall of Fame coach Urban Meyer called Weis Jr.’s involvement a “big positive” for Ole Miss. Meyer admitted he hadn’t known about the plan before hearing the news and joked about the moment when Kiffin told him to “get on the plane or I’m leaving you.” He also noted that Weis calling plays in the playoff counters the usual emphasis on head coaching as the primary driver, suggesting a more balanced division of labor between strategist and supervisor.
Ole Miss has benefited from Weis Jr.’s play-calling this season, with the offense leading the SEC in yards per game (498.1) and ranking third in points per game (37.3). Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has emerged as a standout, throwing for 3,016 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Head coach Lane Kiffin publicly affirmed the decision, stating that after discussions with LSU, Weis would return to Ole Miss for the playoffs. Kiffin also expressed confidence that this arrangement could help Ole Miss secure the highest possible ranking, praising the players as highly deserving.
Because Ole Miss will miss this weekend’s SEC Championship Game, the team will await Sunday’s Selection Show to determine its CFP fate. The Rebels appear poised to host the CFP’s first-ever game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, underscoring the significance of Weis Jr.’s return to the play-calling duties for the playoff push. Would this strategic move set a new precedent for how playoff teams structure coaching responsibilities, or will it become a contested talking point among fans and analysts? The discussion is open, and opinions are welcome in the comments.
