Ole Miss Rebels football

Ole Miss Rebels football
Name	Ole Miss Rebels football
Founded	1893
Stadium	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Capacity	64,038
City	Oxford, Mississippi
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	West Division
Head coach	Lane Kiffin
Athletic director	Keith Carter
Mascot	Tony the Landshark
Fight song	"Forward Rebels"
Colors	Cardinal Red and Navy Blue

Ole Miss Rebels football represents the University of Mississippi in the sport of American football. The Rebels compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as a member of the West Division. The program has a storied history dating back to 1893, featuring national championships, legendary players, and intense rivalries within one of college football's premier conferences.

History

The inaugural season for the team was in 1893 under coach Alexander Bondurant. The program rose to national prominence in the mid-20th century under coaches Johnny Vaught and Harry Mehre, with Vaught's tenure defining an era of sustained excellence. Historic moments include the 1959 team being named national champion by the Football Writers Association of America and the controversial 1962 game against the LSU Tigers following Hurricane Hattie. The integration of the team was a significant milestone, with player Ben Williams breaking the color barrier in 1972. The modern era has seen periods of resurgence under coaches like David Cutcliffe, Houston Nutt, and Hugh Freeze, with the latter leading the Rebels to victories in the 2016 Sugar Bowl over the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the 2015 Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma.

Championships and bowl games

The program claims three national championships, recognized for the 1959, 1960, and 1962 seasons by select organizations. It has won six Southeastern Conference championships, with titles in 1947, 1954, 1955, 1960, 1962, and 1963. The Rebels have appeared in 41 bowl games, compiling a record of 24 wins and 17 losses. Major bowl victories include the 1960 Sugar Bowl over LSU, the 1962 Cotton Bowl Classic against Texas, and the aforementioned Sugar Bowl wins in 2016 and 2015. The team also appeared in the 2015 Peach Bowl and the 2023 Peach Bowl, falling to TCU and Penn State, respectively.

Rivalries

Primary rivalries are deeply entrenched in Southeastern Conference lore. The most intense is the Egg Bowl against in-state foe Mississippi State, a series dating to 1901. The rivalry with the LSU Tigers is historically fierce, often with SEC West implications. Another significant annual matchup is against the Alabama Crimson Tide, a series featuring many memorable games. The Rebels also maintain a traditional, though less frequent, rivalry with the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Notable players

Numerous Rebels have earned national accolades and succeeded in the National Football League. Archie Manning was a two-time All-SEC quarterback and father to Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. Standout defensive lineman Patrick Willis was a Consensus All-American and perennial Pro Bowl selection with the San Francisco 49ers. Eli Manning won the Maxwell Award and two Super Bowl titles with the New York Giants. Other notable figures include Chucky Mullins, whose jersey number is retired, Deuce McAllister, Michael Oher, subject of the film *The Blind Side*, and recent stars like D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown.

Coaches

Johnny Vaught is the program's iconic figure, serving as head coach from 1947 to 1970 and again briefly in 1973, amassing 190 wins and all six SEC titles. Other long-tenured coaches include Billy Brewer and David Cutcliffe. Houston Nutt led the team to consecutive Cotton Bowl Classic appearances. Hugh Freeze oversaw a high-powered offensive era in the early 2010s. The current head coach, Lane Kiffin, known for his offensive acumen at programs like USC and FAU, was hired in December 2019 to revitalize the program.

Facilities

The Rebels play home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium on the university's campus in Oxford, Mississippi; the stadium has undergone numerous expansions and renovations, most recently a major south end zone project. The team trains and practices at the state-of-the-art Manning Center, a football-only complex named for the Manning family. Adjacent practice fields and the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center support player development. The campus is also home to the University of Mississippi Museum which includes sports exhibits.

Category:American football teams established in 1893 Category:Southeastern Conference football teams