With Pete Golding now officially taking the reins as head coach at Ole Miss, attention is quickly shifting to the next big question: what will his staff look like in Year 1?
Early signs point to some continuity in Oxford, and that starts with quarterbacks coach Joe Judge. According to reports, there’s momentum building to keep Judge in place - and that’s no small detail.
Judge, who joined the Rebels as an analyst in 2024 before stepping into the QB coach role this season, brings a deep well of experience from his time in the NFL. And his impact on this Ole Miss offense?
It’s already showing up in big ways.
Judge’s résumé speaks for itself. He spent over a decade in the NFL, cutting his teeth under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots.
From 2012 to 2014, he served as a special teams assistant before being promoted to special teams coordinator - a role he held through 2018. In 2019, he added wide receivers coach to his duties, showcasing his versatility on the sidelines.
That same versatility helped land him the head coaching job with the New York Giants, where he spent two seasons before returning to New England as an assistant head coach.
That kind of NFL pedigree doesn’t just look good on paper - it’s translating directly to player development in Oxford. Just look at what’s happened with Trinidad Chambliss.
Chambliss, a former Division II national champion, has emerged as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the FBS this season. After stepping in for Austin Simmons, Chambliss has thrown for 3,016 yards and 18 touchdowns, with just three interceptions. Add in 478 rushing yards and six scores on the ground, and you’re looking at a dual-threat quarterback who’s not just managing games - he’s changing them.
Judge has played a key role in that evolution. His NFL experience, particularly working with quarterbacks and wide receivers, has helped Chambliss grow into a poised, confident leader who’s guided Ole Miss to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. That’s not just development - that’s transformation.
Ole Miss officials are reportedly being aggressive with staff salaries, clearly prioritizing retention as Golding begins to shape his new era. And keeping a coach like Joe Judge in the building?
That’s a smart first step. Continuity matters, especially when you’ve got a quarterback playing at this level.
With Chambliss thriving and the Rebels making history, it’s clear that the current staff has tapped into something special.
Now, with Golding at the helm and Judge likely staying put, the foundation is being laid for what could be a very intriguing next chapter in Oxford.