A dramatic twist has emerged in the ongoing rivalry between LSU and Ole Miss, as Pete Nakos from On3 reports that Ole Miss is set to hire Frank Wilson, who has been serving as interim head coach at LSU, as their new running backs coach. This news broke on Tuesday, but before it was confirmed, Ole Miss's head coach, Pete Golding, teased the announcement with a mysterious shark emoji on Twitter—a symbol often associated with gaining commitments in recruiting but this time hinting at something more significant.
This isn't Wilson's first stint at Ole Miss; he previously held a position there from 2005 to 2007. His departure from LSU comes on the heels of Lane Kiffin's highly publicized exit from Ole Miss last month, making the timing particularly intriguing. Wilson stepped into the role of interim head coach for LSU after Brian Kelly was dismissed, and there was uncertainty about his future following Kiffin’s appointment. Nonetheless, Wilson is expected to lead the Tigers in the upcoming Texas Bowl against Houston on December 27.
Before rejoining LSU in 2022 as part of Kelly’s initial coaching staff, Wilson had already built an impressive resume. He served as the running backs and special teams coach at Ole Miss, and he also has experience as a head coach at both UTSA and McNeese State. His previous tenure with the Tigers stretched from 2010 to 2015, adding to his familiarity with the program.
As LSU approached the end of the regular season, Wilson expressed his passion for the team when questioned about his future during the coaching search that eventually led to Kiffin's hiring. "I love LSU and as long as LSU will have me, I would love to be a part of what we are doing here," he shared, highlighting his commitment to the program.
Wilson's return to Ole Miss adds another layer to the storied rivalry with LSU. As Golding prepares to take the reins following Kiffin's departure, securing Wilson is seen as a key move. The anticipation builds towards their next clash, scheduled for Week 3 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, promising to be one of the most exciting matchups of the season.
Originating from New Orleans, Frank Wilson played college football at Nicholls State and began his coaching career as a student assistant in 1996. His journey included coaching at the charter school level in Louisiana before joining Ole Miss in 2005. Later, he took on roles such as the running backs coach at Southern Miss and collaborated with Kiffin as the wide receivers coach at Tennessee in 2009.
