Biggest questions for Ole Miss' Pete Golding, Trinidad Chambliss at SEC Media Days

OXFORD — Ole Miss football coach Pete Golding is set to make his first appearance at SEC Media Days.

SEC Media Days is being held through July 23 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street and JW Marriott. Ole Miss will take the stage on July 22.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and defensive tackle Will Echoles will join Golding, who is entering his first full season as a head coach.

Here's what some of the biggest talking points are around Ole Miss.

How will Ole Miss handle emotions of Lane Kiffin, LSU game?

One of the most dramatic matchups of the 2026 season will be played in Oxford in Week 3, and it's sure to come up in Tampa.

Former coach Lane Kiffin and LSU will return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 19 (6:30 p.m., ABC).

Golding and the players will get questions about the intensity of the game, and what it would mean to win.

Both teams will have to ensure the matchup is not a distraction early in the season. The Rebels open with Louisville Week 1 in Nashville, Tennessee, in game that demands complete attention. Ole Miss will then host Charlotte in Week 2.

Ole Miss can't afford to go into the LSU game with a loss in Week 1 or Week 2.

Kiffin and LSU will be at SEC Media Days on July 23, the day after the Rebels. Kiffin will certainly draw more questions about his departure and will have a chance to stoke the flames of the rivalry.

How will Trinidad Chambliss look with new coordinator, surrounding cast?

Chambliss set a high bar for himself in 2025.

He passed for 3,937 yards and scored 30 touchdowns and that culminated with a No. 8 finish in Heisman Trophy voting. Chambliss will have to follow that up with a new coordinator and teammates.

John David Baker has replaced Charlie Weis Jr., who left for LSU, as Ole Miss' offensive coordinator. Baker has experience in Ole Miss' system − he was a tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator in Oxford from 2021-23 − but he has not worked with Chambliss.

Baker isn't trying to overhaul the offense that worked so well in 2025, but there will be some changes. Chambliss also will be throwing to a new group of receivers. Top targets De'Zhaun Stribling and Harrison Wallace are gone.

Wide receivers stepping up is key to Chambliss not missing a beat. Look for returning wide receiver Deuce Alexander to take a bigger role alongside Syracuse transfers Johntay Cook and Darrell Gill.

Will NCAA's tampering investigation be settled before the season?

Time is running out for the NCAA's tampering investigation to be settled before Ole Miss starts the season on Sept. 6.

The NCAA is investigating Ole Miss for tampering after Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's accusations regarding the Rebels' conduct in the recruitment of linebacker Luke Ferrelli.

Past punishments that the NCAA has doled out for tampering range from recruiting sanctions and fines to coaching suspensions.

Golding and Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter have been quiet on the status of the investigation. Golding was asked for an update on July 10 at the Rebels Road Trip.

"No (news), our compliance is handling all that," Golding said. "Everything has been turned in, so we're just focused on our team."

How can Ole Miss keep Kewan Lacy fresh for possible CFP run?

Like last season, the running back depth chart is an offseason topic for Ole Miss. The main question is different.

In 2025, Lacy won a competition throughout the preseason the be the No. 1 running back. It paid off in spades.

The question in 2026 is who backs Lacy up. Ole Miss added three quality transfers in Makhi Frazier (Michigan State), JT Lindsey (LSU) and Joshua Dye (Southern Utah). Former four-star recruit Shekai Mills-Knight returns for his sophomore season and Damarius Yates, a four-star freshman from Kemper County, is a newcomer to the room.

New running backs coach Frank Wilson will have to sort out that depth chart. Expect multiple players to get meaningful work behind Lacy, who had 306 carries in 2025 (20.4 per game).

Ole Miss has the goal of playing a long season. Finding consistent snaps for other running backs is key to keeping Lacy fresh for a push in the College Football Playoff.

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Biggest questions for Ole Miss' Pete Golding, Trinidad Chambliss at SEC Media Days