The coaching carousel is spinning fast in Oxford, and Lane Kiffin’s staff just got another boost. Ole Miss has added L'Damian Washington as its new wide receivers coach, continuing a flurry of offseason moves that are reshaping the Rebels’ offensive identity.
Washington, 34, joins the Rebels after a stint at Kentucky, where he held the same position. Before that, he logged time at South Florida and Oklahoma, steadily building a reputation as one of the more energetic and effective young coaches in the college game.
Word is, he was Mississippi State’s top target to replace Chad Bumphis-who was let go by new head coach Jeff Lebby-but Ole Miss didn’t wait around. They moved quickly and decisively to bring Washington to the other side of the Egg Bowl rivalry.
A Shreveport, Louisiana native, Washington’s journey to coaching started as a lightly recruited 2-star wide receiver who ended up making a name for himself at Missouri. He earned a psychology degree there and then spent time bouncing around several NFL rosters before transitioning into coaching. That grind-from under-the-radar recruit to SEC coach-has helped shape his coaching style, which is rooted in player development and strong recruiting ties, especially across the Southeast.
And that’s exactly where Washington is expected to make an immediate impact: on the recruiting trail. He’s regarded as a relentless recruiter and sharp evaluator of talent, two traits that should serve Ole Miss well in talent-rich areas like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. With the early signing period approaching, his presence could be a timely advantage for the Rebels.
Washington won’t be working alone in the wide receiver room, either. Ole Miss also announced that former Rebel quarterback Micheal Spurlock is joining the staff in an offensive assistant role, working closely with the receivers.
Spurlock, a Mississippi native from Indianola, brings deep ties to the state and the program. His return adds a layer of authenticity and familiarity to the staff, which could resonate with in-state recruits and their families.
These hires are part of a larger restructuring on the offensive side of the ball under new offensive coordinator John David Baker. While Pete Golding continues to shape the defensive identity, there’s still some uncertainty around the future of running backs coach Kevin Smith. That situation remains fluid, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more movement in the coming weeks.
There’s also buzz about potential additions from LSU’s staff-specifically Frank Wilson and Austin Thomas. Wilson is well-known in Louisiana circles as a recruiting powerhouse, especially in New Orleans.
Thomas, meanwhile, is no stranger to Oxford, having served as the Rebels’ chief of staff during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While nothing is official, the possibility of either or both joining the program would further solidify Ole Miss’s recruiting infrastructure.
In short, Ole Miss is making calculated, aggressive moves to upgrade its staff on both the recruiting and development fronts. With Washington and Spurlock now in the fold, and more potential hires on the horizon, the Rebels are clearly positioning themselves to compete not just on Saturdays, but on the recruiting trail every day in between.