OXFORD – Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith is joining Lane Kiffin’s staff at LSU, as the Tigers announced Smith’s hiring as associate head coach and running backs coach Monday. He joins Charlie Weis Jr. (offensive coordinator), Joe Cox (tight ends), George McDonald (wide receivers) Sawyer Jordan (inside receivers), Dane Stevens (quarterbacks), Lou Spanos (assistant defensive line) and Chris Kiffin (linebackers) as coaches who will follow Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU. All the hires were officially announced Monday.

After six seasons leading Ole Miss – which included four 10-win seasons – Kiffin took the LSU job on Nov. 30. Rebels defensive coordinator Pete Golding was elevated to permanent head coach the same day and led Ole Miss to a victory in its College Football Playoff debut, a 41-10 win over Tulane on Saturday. No. 6 Ole Miss faces No. 3 Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter confirmed with the Daily Journal that Smith, like Weis and the other assistants headed to LSU, will remain on the Rebels’ staff throughout the playoffs.

Smith spent five seasons as Ole Miss’ running backs coach (2020-21, 2023-25) and also worked with Kiffin at FAU. The Rebels had two 1,000-yard rushers in Smith’s tenure – Quinshon Judkins in 2023 and Kewan Lacy this season. Lacy is sixth nationally with 1,366 rushing yards and is second in the FBS with 21 rushing touchdowns.

Ole Miss is set to hire LSU interim head coach and running backs coach Frank Wilson to its staff, according to reporting from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.