John David Baker is expected to come back to Oxford and join the Pete Golding era as the next offensive coordinator of Ole Miss football, according to reports.
The East Carolina offensive coordinator previously
worked for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss from 2021-2023 starting as a tight ends coaching before being elevated to a co-offensive coordinator role. He left Oxford to work in the Pirates program the last two seasons where his offense ranked No. 14 nationally in 2025.
East Carolina went 8-4 this season while averaging 33.5 points per game in the American Conference, which has some decent squads this year. The Pirates averaged 281 passing yards and 185 rushing yards per game close to on par with Ole Miss’ 309 passing and 188 rushing averages this year. His offense produced only 13 turnovers all season again right in line with the Rebels at 12 total for the year.
It’s at least comforting to have someone coming in who knows what Ole Miss has been doing the last five+ seasons, and he will certainly bring his own take on playcalling. Maybe he will even decide not to run two QB double reverse passes inside the 10-yard line, it remains to be seen and could be good!
Pete Nakos with On3 reported as well on X/Twitter that JDB has been in Oxford the past few days with the current coaching staff.
This move is nothing but more stability for the program in theory moving forward. Coach Golding needed an offensive coordinator who could work with what is on the roster and what is being recruited into Ole Miss. He got it, so now the rest of the staff should begin taking shape.
