It has been nearly a year since former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart played a snap for the Rebels, but that doesn't mean he has escaped all of the drama that has overshadowed the team's postseason this year.
Dart, who was selected 25th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, was recently asked about the head coach situation in Oxford, and the rookie QB had nothing but kind words to throw around.
"With [Lane Kiffin], he kinda does some things that are unexpected," Dart said of his former head coach. "I'm looking forward to his next opportunity. Me and him have such a great relationship... I'm excited for him."
Jaxson Dart thinks Ole Miss is in good hands
Even though Kiffin seemingly left Ole Miss high and dry, Dart ensured that he still had his head coach's back when it came to his decision to leave.
Kiffin, of course, left the Rebels to take the job as the new head coach of the LSU Tigers, leaving Ole Miss looking for a replacement. Rather quickly (especially compared to programs like Penn State), the team named its defensive coordinator, Pete Golding, as the new head coach.
"I'm also really happy for Ole Miss, keeping Coach Golding at the helm there. I'm happy that they were able to keep their offensive staff, being able to coach the rest of the Playoff... it would've been a sign of disrespect, a little bit not letting those guys finish it out," Dart said. "I'm excited to see their run to a National Championship this year."
The No. 6 Rebels are set to host the No. 11 Tulane Green Wave in the first round of the College Football Playoff, without Kiffin at the helm but with most of the support staff still in place.
"With Kiff, he kinda does some things that are unexpected. I'm looking forward to his next opportunity. Me and him have such a great relationship...I'm excited for him.
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 10, 2025
I'm also really happy for Ole Miss, keeping Coach Golding at the helm there. I'm happy that they were able to… pic.twitter.com/xXA2ulRG0u
If Ole Miss can pull off the first-round victory, Golding and his team would face none other than the Georgia Bulldogs, who defeated the Rebels during the regular season while Kiffin was still a part of the program.
Ole Miss and Tulane are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 20, and the game will be aired on TNT, HBO Max, and truTV.