Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin reveals what went into decision-making process to start Trinidad Chambliss over Austin Simmons versus Arkansas
Everything is calculated for the Rebels and Saturday was proof the system works.
After Ole Miss’ 41-35 win over Arkansas Saturday, head coach Lane Kiffin spoke with the media. A lot of questions about the play of his backup-turned starting quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, in place of the hampered Austin Simmons.
Kiffin along with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr., and quarterback assistant coach Joe Judge were the primary decision makers the week leading up to the Rebels’ game against the Razorbacks. After the game, Kiffin explained how it came about.
“Just a lot went into it,” Kiffin said. “Taking a lot of information in and making that decision really late. I just thought schematically there were a lot of things against them we could run with quarterback reads. I didn’t want to play Austin in that situation and get him hurt worse running him.”
Trinidad Chambliss made the coaches look really smart Saturday.
Last year at this time, Chambliss was in the middle of a title run with Ferris State – throwing for 2,901 yards and 26 touchdowns while also running for 1,019 and 25 more scores on the ground. Now, he’s carving up SEC defenses like it’s nothing. Kiffin alluded to the decision to recruit and sign Chambliss and how it’s not just a “hey, this guy won a title and put up some crazy stats”.
But, Kiffin revealed he wasn’t caught off guard by the career day.
“There’s a lot of research that goes into it,” Kiffin said. “Trinidad’s day didn’t surprise me. He’s done a fabulous job. He has the ‘it.’ That’s why we brought him here.”
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What a win and what a debut for Trinidad Chambliss.
Admittedly, Trinidad Chambliss was nervous Saturday.
“It’s a little bit different than Ferris State,” Chambliss said. “The speed is different. There are bigger dudes up front on the D-line and the linebacker level. The atmosphere is definitely different. But football is football. You’ve just got to go out there and play fast and play hard. …I’ve done this since I was a little kid.”
Kiffin was asked by a reporter to define what “it” is he’s referring to.
“It’s just a factor,” Kiffin said. “We saw it on his game tape and we saw it on the scrimmages when we went in the stadium (in August). …He kind of has some magic about him. So, he did it today.
“He took care of the ball. He did a great job. We needed all of that today, obviously, with the way we played defensively.”
Harrison Wallace III is Top 3 in the SEC in receiving. He was impressed Saturday.
“He has a lot of special ability,” Wallace said. “Whenever his name is called, he’s going to go in and make a play. Trinidad didn’t miss a beat. He did what everybody knew he would do when he got the chance.”
Over and over Saturday, Chambliss made the right decision, put the ball in a spot where his teammates could succeed, and he didn’t turn the football over. This is why he’s a huge piece of this Ole Miss puzzle moving forward if the Rebels want to make some CFP noise. But, Simmons is still part of it, too.
“Austin is a competitor, a great player, 19 years old,” Kiffin said. “He’s very competitive. He’s a great player. He wanted to go in there and he wanted to play. He’s going to do great things for us. We just had to make a decision today to go with Trinidad.”
Trinidad Chambliss will most likely be asked to do it again versus Tulane.
The Rebels are 3-0 and 2-0 in the SEC. Now, Kiffin’s Ole Miss team is looking to get to 4-0 when Jon Sumrall and the Green Wave come to Oxford. As of Sunday, the opening line favors Ole Miss by 10.5 points. Whether or not Simmons is good to go or will be nursing the ankle, Chambliss lit a fire in the offense last week and could be the missing piece for an offense looking to replace Jaxson Dart.
“It’s a dream come true,” Chambliss said. “I’m just going to soak it all in. …It’s a long time coming. Everyone’s journey is different.”
