Stature and coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2nd-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Matt Luke (2017–2019) · succeeded by Pete Golding (2025–now).
| Season | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 5-5 | 10-3 | 8-5 | 11-2 | 10-3 | 11-1 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #34 | #18 | #23 | #23 | #21 | #16 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | 42.1 | 42.2 | 38.6 | 42.5 | 46.5 | 47.8 | |
| Coordinators | |||||||
| OC | Jeff Lebby | Jeff Lebby | Charlie Weis Jr. / John David Baker | Charlie Weis Jr. / John David Baker | Charlie Weis Jr. / Joe Cox | Charlie Weis Jr. / Joe Cox | |
| DC | D. J. Durkin / Chris Partridge | D. J. Durkin / Chris Partridge | Maurice Crum Jr. / Chris Partridge | Pete Golding | Bryan Brown / Pete Golding | Bryan Brown / Pete Golding | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | 92 | 54 | 81 | 90 | 96 | 97 | |
| Defense | 6 | 70 | 44 | 41 | 96 | 65 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 43.9 | 44.0 | 39.0 | 36.5 | 50.0 | 45.1 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 34.7 | 37.7 | 32.8 | 35.0 | 32.1 | 28.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 71.8 | 54.8 | 50.0 | 47.8 | 40.9 | 41.9 | |
Outperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
A portal-built roster.
Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
25 NFL Draft picks: Elijah Moore (2021), Royce Newman (2021), Sam Williams (2022), Matt Corral (2022), Snoop Conner (2022), Chance Campbell (2022), Mark Robinson (2022), Deane Leonard (2022) + 17 more
4 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Elijah Moore (2020), Chris Paul Jr. (2024), Walter Nolen (2024), Kewan Lacy (2025)
AI Narratives — “Ole Miss's Offseason Portal Moves Create Starter Risks” and 13 more on the team page.
5th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Hugh Freeze (2012–2016) · succeeded by Lane Kiffin (2020–2025).
| Season | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 6-6 | 5-7 | 4-8 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #31 | #32 | #22 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 54.0 | 51.3 | 37.2 | |
| Coordinators | ||||
| OC | Phil Longo | Phil Longo | Rich Rodriguez | |
| DC | Jason Jones / Wesley McGriff | Jason Jones / Wesley McGriff | Mike MacIntyre | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 77 | 76 | 53 | |
| Defense | 22 | 26 | 50 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 55.4 | 57.0 | 26.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 56.5 | 46.8 | 22.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 14.3 | 27.9 | 39.6 | |
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on offense and underperforms his recruiting talent on defense.
10 NFL Draft picks: Breeland Speaks (2018), Marquis Haynes (2018), Jordan Wilkins (2018), Rod Taylor (2018), Greg Little (2019), A.J. Brown (2019), DK Metcalf (2019), Dawson Knox (2019) + 2 more
4th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Houston Nutt (2008–2011) · succeeded by Matt Luke (2017–2019).
| Season | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 7-6 | 8-5 | 9-4 | 10-3 | 5-7 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #48 | #8 | #15 | #17 | #5 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 42.7 | 48.1 | 47.3 | 51.4 | 53.4 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||
| OC | — | — | Matt Luke / Dan Werner | Matt Luke / Dan Werner | Matt Luke / Dan Werner | |
| DC | — | — | Dave Wommack / Jason Jones | Dave Wommack / Jason Jones | Dave Wommack / Jason Jones | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 50 | 62 | 27 | 93 | 46 | |
| Defense | 84 | 71 | 96 | 86 | 12 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 42.2 | 43.3 | 41.3 | 50.9 | 48.5 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 33.0 | 42.2 | 50.7 | 40.0 | 44.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 30.6 | 35.7 | 26.7 | 23.7 | 23.1 | |
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
11 NFL Draft picks: Donte Moncrief (2014), Senquez Golson (2015), Laremy Tunsil (2016), Laquon Treadwell (2016), Robert Nkemdiche (2016), Fahn Cooper (2016), Cody Core (2016), Evan Engram (2017) + 3 more
8th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Ed Orgeron (2005–2007) · succeeded by Hugh Freeze (2012–2016).
| Season | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 9-4 | 9-4 | 4-8 | 2-10 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | W bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #31 | #17 | #24 | #20 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 39.5 | 42.8 | 40.0 | 40.5 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 79 | 46 | 28 | 7 | |
| Defense | 85 | 90 | 34 | 20 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 31.2 | 33.2 | 29.0 | 30.3 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 38.3 | 35.2 | 26.3 | 26.4 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 22.5 | 28.2 | 38.1 | 6.9 | |
10 NFL Draft picks: Michael Oher (2009), Peria Jerry (2009), Mike Wallace (2009), Jamarca Sanford (2009), Dexter McCluster (2010), John Jerry (2010), Kendrick Lewis (2010), Greg Hardy (2010) + 2 more
12th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed David Cutcliffe (1998–2004) · succeeded by Houston Nutt (2008–2011).
| Season | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 3-8 | 4-8 | 3-9 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #32 | #15 | #17 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 52.8 | 39.9 | 50.8 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 36 | 17 | 42 | |
| Defense | 68 | 46 | 34 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 46.9 | 24.8 | 41.8 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 44.9 | 30.8 | 50.0 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 25.8 | 35.5 | 25.8 | |
3 NFL Draft picks: Tre' Stallings (2006), Patrick Willis (2007), Trumaine McBride (2007)
9th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Tommy Tuberville (1995–1998) · succeeded by Ed Orgeron (2005–2007).
| Season | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||
| Record | 1-0 | 8-4 | 7-5 | 7-4 | 7-6 | 10-3 | 4-7 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | W bowl | L bowl | — | W bowl | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | #33 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44.4 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | 49 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | 73 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 37.3 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21.9 | |
15 NFL Draft picks: Todd Wade (2000), Kendrick Clancy (2000), Tutan Reyes (2000), Deuce McAllister (2001), Ken Lucas (2001), Derrick Burgess (2001), Terrence Metcalf (2002), Ben Claxton (2003) + 7 more
11th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Joe Lee Dunn (1994) · succeeded by David Cutcliffe (1998–2004).
| Season | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 6-5 | 5-6 | 8-4 | 6-5 | |
| Postseason | — | — | W bowl | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | |
3 NFL Draft picks: Kris Mangum (1997), John Avery (1998), Nate Wayne (1998)
10th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Steve Sloan (1978–1982) · succeeded by Joe Lee Dunn (1994).
| Season | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||
| Record | 6-6 | 4-6-1 | 4-6-1 | 8-3-1 | 3-8 | 5-6 | 8-4 | 9-3 | 5-6 | 9-3 | 5-6 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | — | — | W bowl | — | — | W bowl | L bowl | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
15 NFL Draft picks: Andre Townsend (1984), Freddie Joe Nunn (1985), Tim Moffett (1985), Lee Davis (1985), James Harbour (1985), Bill Smith (1987), Wesley Walls (1989), Stevon Moore (1989) + 7 more
7th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Ken Cooper (1974–1977) · succeeded by Billy Brewer (1983–1993).
2 NFL Draft picks: Jim Miller (1980), Ken Toler (1981)
3rd-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed John Vaught (1973) · succeeded by Steve Sloan (1978–1982).
3 NFL Draft picks: Ben Williams (1976), Ken Coleman (1978), George Plasketes (1978)
1st-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Red Drew (1946) · succeeded by Billy Kinard (1971–1972) · returned in 1973 · succeeded by Ken Cooper (1974–1977).
| Season | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1973 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Record | 9-2 | 8-1 | 4-5-1 | 5-5 | 6-3-1 | 8-1-2 | 7-2-1 | 9-2 | 10-1 | 7-3 | 9-1-1 | 9-2 | 10-1 | 10-0-1 | 9-2 | 10-0 | 7-1-2 | 5-5-1 | 7-4 | 8-3 | 6-4-1 | 7-3-1 | 8-3 | 7-4 | 5-3 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
6th-best Ole Miss tenure of 12 by the numbers.
Followed Ed Walker (1936–1937) · succeeded by Red Drew (1946).