Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Joe Judge drew sharp criticism Thursday after his testimony in a Mississippi courtroom hearing for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss veered into advice that players with newborns during the season should be excused from midnight feedings and other fatherly duties so they can sleep and perform on the field.
Judge was called as a witness to support Chambliss’ lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the NCAA. The former Ferris State quarterback is fighting for a sixth year of eligibility in 2026 after the NCAA denied his medical hardship waiver — and subsequent appeal and reconsideration request — for the 2022 season, when respiratory problems and poor sleep quality kept him from playing.
While discussing the rigors of the Ole Miss program and the importance of rest, Judge described conversations coaches have with players’ significant others who are pregnant or have newborns during the season.
NEW: Ole Miss coach Joe Judge tells pregnant partners of players during the season that the father has to play good football.
“He needs to be in another room, detached… he ain’t waking up for midnight feedings.” pic.twitter.com/LQG7t0fQtX
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) February 12, 2026
“This is always a tough conversation to have. It’s not going to be a popular opinion, but it’s the truth,” Judge said, according to multiple accounts of the hearing. “We would have to educate significant others who may have been pregnant during the season, or who are going to have a baby during the season — if you have this baby during the season, that father has to play good football. It’s a day-by-day production business. He has to be ready to perform and go out there and play. Why I say that is, you need to let him sleep. He needs to be in another room, detached. You have to explain to the mother like, ‘Hey, listen. He ain’t waking up for midnight feedings. After the season be full-metal jacket, do whatever you want with him. He can change every diaper. But in season, he’s got to have a different priority.’”
The remarks quickly circulated on social media, where many viewed them as dismissive of parental responsibilities.
Former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin responded on X with the single word “Joe.” and a facepalm emoji.
Barstool Sports posted the clip under the headline: “He Ain’t Waking Up For Midnight Feedings” — Ole Miss Joe Judge Educates His Player’s Pregnant Mothers On Importance of Letting Daddy Sleep Through The Night. (Note: Judge is the quarterbacks coach under head coach Pete Golding.)
Old Row Sports and other accounts shared the video, drawing thousands of views. One user, @JonnyRoot_, called the comments “awful, abusive, & terrible leadership.”
Another post from @TopTierTulane quipped: “NCAA: ‘your QB used his eligibility’ Ole Miss: ‘we think our QB should get another year of eligibility’ Joe Judge: ‘PREGNANT WOMEN NEED TO LET THEIR MEN FOCUS ON FOOTBALL.’”
Judge’s testimony came amid broader discussion of Chambliss’ development and the demands placed on high-level college quarterbacks. Some defenders noted the comments were part of illustrating why rest is critical — a point potentially tied to Chambliss’ documented sleep and respiratory issues in 2022 — but the phrasing drew widespread condemnation.
The hearing before Chancery Court Judge Robert Whitwell in Calhoun County ended at 3:01 p.m. CT without a ruling from the bench. Whitwell said he hoped to issue a decision by the end of the day Thursday or soon after.
The NCAA had already denied Chambliss’ initial waiver request, his appeal and a last-minute reconsideration filed by Ole Miss this week.
Chambliss, who has emerged as a standout for the Rebels, argues the 2022 season should not count against his eligibility because of medical issues that were fully documented. A ruling in his favor would allow him to play in 2026 while the underlying lawsuit proceeds.
The case has drawn national attention in part because of Chambliss’ on-field success and the broader debate over NCAA eligibility rules. Judge’s off-topic remarks, however, shifted the spotlight to questions of work-life balance in major college football.
The good news for Ole Miss is that Chambliss won the case and will be able to play football for a 6th year unless the NCAA decides to keep fighting the case.
