Ole Miss football just made a major statement - not on the field, but in the staff room - poaching four key staffers from SEC rival LSU and one from UCLA, bolstering Pete Golding’s program with a serious infusion of recruiting and personnel talent.
Let’s break it down.
Frank Wilson Returns to Oxford in a Big Way
First up, Frank Wilson is back in Oxford, and he’s coming in hot. Officially announced as the new running backs coach and senior associate head coach, Wilson brings a wealth of experience and recruiting savvy back to Ole Miss.
Known as a New Orleans recruiting powerhouse, Wilson previously spent time at LSU and UTSA, but he’s no stranger to the Rebels either. His return signals a clear priority: dominate the recruiting trail, especially in talent-rich Louisiana.
Austin Thomas Takes Over as GM
Austin Thomas is also making his return to Oxford, this time as President of Football Operations and General Manager. Thomas had already logged time at Ole Miss during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before heading to LSU.
His resume reads like a blueprint for SEC success - five seasons at LSU from 2013-2017, followed by a stint at Texas A&M. Now he’s back, and his experience navigating the complexities of roster management, NIL strategy, and recruiting logistics will be crucial as the Rebels gear up for a pivotal stretch.
Kelvin Bolden Rejoins the Rebels
Another familiar face, Kelvin Bolden, is back in Oxford as assistant general manager. Bolden previously served as a recruiting coordinator for three years at Ole Miss before spending last season at LSU in a similar assistant GM role. His return adds continuity and proven recruiting chops to the front office - a smart move as the Rebels continue to build out a deep and experienced personnel department.
Jai Choudhary Adds More LSU DNA
The LSU-to-Ole Miss pipeline doesn’t stop there. Jai Choudhary is coming on board as the Director of Player Personnel.
He’s another returnee, having served previously as a graduate assistant and then assistant director of player personnel in Oxford before spending this past season in Baton Rouge. Choudhary’s familiarity with the program and his growth in the SEC ecosystem make him a strong fit as the Rebels look to fine-tune their talent evaluation and roster construction.
Jacob Sugarman Brings Scouting Experience from UCLA
Rounding out the new hires is Jacob Sugarman, who will serve as Director of Scouting. Sugarman’s path includes time in the NFL as an intern, graduate work at LSU, and a short stint at UCLA as director of scouting. While UCLA had a rough ride last season, Sugarman’s role there was limited to nine months, and his broader resume suggests he brings a fresh set of eyes and a data-driven approach to player evaluation.
Why This Matters Right Now
This wave of hires isn’t just about adding names to a staff directory - it’s about timing, strategy, and preparation. The transfer portal is about to swing wide open, and the Rebels are also staring down a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. That’s a lot of moving parts.
Scouting potential portal additions, managing NIL budgets, and game-planning for one of the most physical teams in college football - it’s all happening at once. These new hires will be thrown right into the fire, and that’s by design. Ole Miss isn’t just trying to keep up in the modern college football arms race - they’re trying to sprint ahead.
Expect some long hours and high stakes in Oxford over the next few weeks. But with this kind of talent now behind the scenes, Lane Kiffin’s program just took a major step toward sustaining success - and maybe even making a little history of their own.