Ole Miss just made a notable move on the coaching front, and while the Rebels are welcoming Cody Woodiel back to his home state, the reaction down in Coral Gables has been... less than sentimental.
Woodiel, who spent the last several years on Mario Cristobal’s staff at Miami, is heading to Oxford as the new tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator. It’s a homecoming for the Mississippi native, but the departure hasn’t exactly stirred up gratitude from Hurricanes fans. In fact, based on the online reaction, many are holding the door open-and not in a friendly way.
To be fair, Woodiel does have a solid résumé point in his corner. During his time at Miami, he coached standout tight end Elijah Arroyo, who went on to become a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Arroyo’s 2024 season was impressive: 35 catches, 590 yards, and seven touchdowns. That kind of production gets you noticed.
But that success hasn’t been enough to shield Woodiel from criticism, especially after a steep drop-off in 2025.
That’s when Elijah Lofton took over as Miami’s top tight end, finishing the season with 23 receptions for 218 yards and three scores. Solid numbers, but not exactly the kind of output that lights up a stat sheet-or quiets a fanbase. And for many Miami supporters, that lack of production at the position has become a focal point for frustration.
Social media lit up after the news broke, and let’s just say the reviews weren’t glowing. Some fans questioned the promotion angle, wondering how a coach overseeing what they saw as one of the team’s weakest position groups could land a co-offensive coordinator title. Others pointed to recruiting and development issues, with more than a few suggesting that Woodiel benefited from having a talent like Arroyo fall into his lap.
The phrase “addition by subtraction” popped up more than once, and there was a clear sense that many in the Miami fanbase are ready to turn the page. Whether that’s fair or not is up for debate-but it’s clear the perception around Woodiel’s tenure in Coral Gables wasn’t exactly glowing.
Now, he steps into a new role at Ole Miss, replacing Joe Cox, who followed Lane Kiffin to LSU. With Pete Golding needing to fill the tight ends coach role quickly, Woodiel fits the bill: he brings Power Five experience, familiarity with SEC-level expectations, and ties to the state of Mississippi, having grown up in Hernando.
He’ll also inherit a position group in transition. Dae’Quan Wright, the Rebels’ top tight end, is off to the NFL, leaving a vacancy both in talent and leadership. That opens the door for Woodiel to put his stamp on the unit-and prove that the drop-off in Miami was more about circumstance than coaching.
For Ole Miss, this hire is about more than just replacing a position coach. Giving Woodiel the co-OC title signals a belief in his ability to contribute to the broader offensive scheme. That’s a statement of trust from the Rebels’ staff-and a challenge for Woodiel to rise to the occasion.
Miami fans may be celebrating his exit, but the real story will be told in Oxford. If Woodiel can revitalize the tight end room and help the Rebels maintain their offensive edge, he’ll have the last word.