Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin makes something very clear to new starting QB Austin Simmons as he takes over for the departed Jaxson Dart
It’s hard to quantify just how good Jaxson Dart was this past year for Ole Miss. After a bit of a rougher start to his Rebels career, Dart left as a record setting signal caller that will surely be missed in Oxford. During his three years with the program, Dart managed to throw for 10,617 […]
It’s hard to quantify just how good Jaxson Dart was this past year for Ole Miss. After a bit of a rougher start to his Rebels career, Dart left as a record setting signal caller that will surely be missed in Oxford. During his three years with the program, Dart managed to throw for 10,617 yards and 72 touchdowns, adding another 12 scores on the ground.
Following that standout career, Dart went on to be selected with the No. 25 overall to the New York Giants in the 2025 NFL Draft. Now head coach Lane Kiffin is tasked with replacing him. That won’t be a small task.
We know who will be the starting quarterback for the Rebels this season with junior Austin Simmons set to take over under center. Also a standout baseball player for Ole Miss, Simmons is oozing with arm talent and upside. Combine that with a good system under Coach Kiffin, and the expectations are high.
With limited experience under his belt, and following a legend in Dart, there is naturally going to be a good deal of pressure on Simmons. Coach Kiffin understands that challenge, and just wants Simmons to just do one thing, be himself.
"I think anytime, whether that's the NFL or college, when a significant player at the position – especially quarterback – you have to be careful that the next guy doesn't think he has to be him exactly, especially because Jaxson was a great leader, but he was unique in how he did that, in the relationships,” Kiffin said. “Austin's got to be himself and just initially really work more on his game and his improvement, and then we can help him with the other stuff."
Kiffin, as he typically does, spoke highly about his program at SEC Media Day on Monday. There were a ton of questions about Simmons, and him replacing Dart, and Kiffin was consistent about his confidence in the talented passer. While there may be a lack of experience with Simmons, there sure isn’t in terms of talent.
The Ole Miss offense is a quarterback friendly one, but Simmons is going to have to make it his own this picking season. The Rebels are only going to go as far as he carries them. It’s all about being confident in the skill set he brings to the table.
'He's doing amazing at that, so that's great for him': Lane Kiffin takes hilarious jab at rival SEC head coach's golf game
Leave it to Lane Kiffin to create some headlines on SEC Media Day. The Ole Miss head coach has delivered some gems over the years, even if he's not always trying to troll everyone or be a nuisance. He simply calls it like he sees it with some humor, and his delivery is fantastic. One […]
