Frank Wilson is heading back to a familiar sideline.
The LSU interim head coach and longtime running backs coach is expected to join Pete Golding’s staff at Ole Miss following the Tigers’ appearance in the Texas Bowl against Houston on Dec. 27. That’s according to reports from CBS Sports, and it signals a return to Oxford for Wilson - a place he once called home during his early coaching days.
For those who’ve followed Wilson’s career, this move is as much about reconnection as it is about opportunity. He and Golding go way back.
The two worked together at UTSA, where Wilson was head coach and Golding ran the defense from 2016 to 2017. That partnership helped lay the foundation for Golding’s eventual rise to Alabama’s defensive coordinator role under Nick Saban.
Now, they’re reuniting in the SEC, with Wilson stepping into a new chapter at Ole Miss - a program he’s already familiar with. From 2005 to 2007, Wilson coached running backs and special teams in Oxford under Ed Orgeron, gaining valuable SEC experience that helped shape his coaching trajectory.
Wilson informed LSU players and staff earlier today that he’ll be leaving after the bowl game. It’s a significant moment for the Tigers, as Wilson has been a steady, respected presence in Baton Rouge for years.
His ties to LSU run deep: he served as associate head coach, running backs coach, and recruiting coordinator from 2010 to 2015, helping bring in some of the most talented classes in the country. After head coaching stints at UTSA and McNeese State, he returned to LSU in a similar role, once again playing a key part in player development and recruiting.
When LSU needed someone to step in after Brian Kelly’s departure, Wilson answered the call. He went 2-2 as interim head coach, guiding the Tigers through a tough stretch. His debut came against Alabama - a tall task for anyone - and while that game ended in a loss, Wilson rallied the team for back-to-back wins over Arkansas and Western Kentucky before closing the regular season with a loss to Oklahoma.
Now, he’ll finish out his duties with LSU in the Texas Bowl before heading east to join a Rebels program that’s building momentum. For Ole Miss, adding a coach like Wilson means more than just experience - it brings strong recruiting chops, SEC familiarity, and a proven ability to connect with players.
For LSU, it’s the end of an era. Wilson’s impact on the program won’t be forgotten anytime soon.