New coach Pete Golding says he is reminding younger Ole Miss players what the CFP and a first-round matchup vs. Tulane means to seniors like quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. However, they've returned to Ole Miss to coach in the CFP. Yet even celebrity breakups aren't as public and messy as Lane Kiffin's departure from Ole Miss was. "It's kind of good that we got this first-round playoff game," Ole Miss offensive lineman Diego Pounds said. Judge has already signed an extension to return to Ole Miss in 2026.