Lane Kiffin has brought back familiar faces George McDonald and Joe Cox to LSU ahead of Fiesta Bowl.
Well, folks, grab your playbooks and popcorn, because Lane Kiffin is at it again. The LSU head coach just pulled a “blast from the past” move, recalling Ole Miss’ wide receivers coach George McDonald and tight ends coach Joe Cox back ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, the same coaches who once graced LSU’s sideline are returning like a Netflix reboot nobody asked for, but somehow, it just works.
Kiffin has always been the kind of coach who makes bold moves look like Monday morning coffee runs. Forget the usual assistant shuffle, he’s bringing back people he trusts, the ones who know the playbook, the cafeteria hours, and probably where all the good snacks are hidden. George McDonald and Joe Cox aren’t just familiar faces; they’re LSU veterans who can hit the ground running. And let’s be honest, if you’ve been burned before by trying new coaches, going back to what works is kind of genius.
SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum believes the coaching controversy will negatively impact both Ole Miss and LSU as the progras navigate critical stretches.
The Rebels are one win away from reaching the National Title Game while LSU is retooling the roster in Baton Rouge via the Transfer Portal in order to emerge as a contender in 2026.
“It’s going to be a problem. Leave it to Lane Kiffin to be sitting there right now with most of his coaching staff having another week (at Ole Miss). He can tweet all he wants, but he expected and I’m sure deep down he was figuring Ole Miss would be out of it early and I could get my staff,” Paul Finebaum said on Friday morning on ESPN’s Get Up.
“This is why he left early, to go to LSU and start recruiting when this portal window opened today. And now he is stuck, and can’t really do much about it. It is going to be a chaotic week.”
Now, all eyes are on Ole Miss with the Rebels and Miami Hurricanes set to square off on Thursday with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
So, Fiesta Bowl fans, buckle up. LSU’s sideline just got a blast from the past injection, courtesy of Kiffin’s clever mind. McDonald and Cox are back, the Tigers are ready, and if you’re expecting ordinary, you’re in the wrong sport. In football, as in life, sometimes the best way forward is to bring back the old favorites, sprinkle in some chaos, and watch the magic happen.
Lane Kiffin Has Recalled Ole Miss' WR Coach George McDonald And TE Coach Joe Cox Back To LSU Ahead Of Tomorrow's Fiesta Bowl https://t.co/oahQOF483q pic.twitter.com/1n30fojZhG
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 8, 2026
