Lane Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU has set off a coaching carousel in the SEC, and one of the most intriguing moves involves a familiar face heading back to Oxford. Frank Wilson, who recently served as LSU’s interim head coach, is expected to join new Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding’s staff after LSU wraps up its season in the Texas Bowl against Houston on December 27.
Wilson informed LSU players and staff of his decision during a team meeting on Tuesday, making it clear that his time in Baton Rouge will officially end after the bowl game. It’s a significant shift, but also one that brings Wilson full circle in more ways than one.
While this may be a new chapter for Wilson, it’s not unfamiliar territory. He and Golding have a history - back in 2016, when Golding took over at UTSA, Wilson was one of his first hires, brought on to run the defense. That working relationship clearly left a mark, and now they’ll reunite in Oxford with a new challenge ahead.
But Wilson’s ties to Ole Miss go back even further. From 2005 to 2007, he was on staff as the Rebels’ running backs and special teams coach, a period that helped launch his rise through the college football coaching ranks. So in many ways, this is more of a return than a relocation.
Wilson, now 52, has carved out a long and winding path through the football world. He began his coaching career in 1996 as a graduate assistant at Nicholls State - his alma mater - before making a name for himself in Louisiana high school football. That foundation led to his first stint at Ole Miss, followed by roles at Southern Miss, Tennessee, and LSU.
In 2016, Wilson got his shot as a head coach at UTSA. Over four seasons, he compiled a 19-29 record and took the Roadrunners to one bowl game. After being let go in 2019, he took over at McNeese State, where he went 7-11 over two seasons before returning to LSU in a support role that eventually led to his interim head coaching opportunity.
That interim stint came after Brian Kelly’s departure and saw Wilson lead LSU to a 2-2 record, including wins over Arkansas and Western Kentucky. While it was a short run, it gave players a steady hand and showcased Wilson’s leadership in a transitional moment for the Tigers.
Now, he heads back to Oxford, stepping into a new role under a familiar face with Pete Golding. It’s a reunion built on trust and past success, and one that could bring a valuable veteran presence to a Rebels program entering a new era. For Wilson, it’s another stop on a coaching journey that’s been anything but ordinary - and one that’s far from over.