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Ole Miss announces former player Murphy Holloway as part of new radio crew for 2025-26 season

11by: Jake Thompson08/18/25JakeThompsonOn3
NCAA Basketball: Mississippi at Florida
February 2, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Ole Miss Rebels forward Murphy Holloway (31) grabs a rebound against the Florida Gators during the second half at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Florida Gators defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 78-64. Mandatory credit: © Kim Klement-Imagn Images

There is going to be a change within the Ole Miss basketball program for the 2025-26 season but it is not affecting anything fans will see on the court.

Instead it is going to affect what they hear when tuning in for the Rebels radio broadcasts with two new faces putting on the headsets. Longtime radio announcer and former Ole Miss play-by-play man Gary Darby is returning as the lead announcer, replacing the ‘Voice of the Rebels’ David Kellum.

Kellum is stepping away from basketball duties after a 26-year run while still remaining on the call for all Ole Miss football and baseball games this upcoming athletic season.

“This adjustment will help lessen my workload and eliminate any sport-overlap conflicts,” Kellum said in a statement. “I am very excited for Gary and Murphy to take over basketball, and I know they will be fantastic.”

Darby, who has a 35-year career in radio broadcasting, has filled in for Kellum when the overlap seasons of football, basketball and baseball taking place. He called two SEC baseball series this past March while Kellum followed Ole Miss on its Sweet 16 run.

“I’m really honored to get the opportunity and I appreciate all of those that are involved, especially David Kellum who gave me my first opportunity in the business,” Darby said in a statement released by the school. “It’s an exciting time for basketball at Ole Miss, and I really look forward to being a part of it and working with Murphy Holloway. I’m ready and really excited to get going.”

Part of Monday’s announcement also included that joining Darby will be former Ole Miss standout Murphy Holloway, replacing Marc Dukes who retired after the end of last season.

Holloway is the program’s all-time leading rebounder and is bringing his on-the-court experience to the radio booth. After coming to Ole Miss in 2008 Holloway transferred back to his homestate of South Carolina before returning to finish out his college career in Oxford for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

He was part of the 2013 roster that led Ole Miss to the SEC Tournament Championship, beating Florida, and earning an NCAA Tournament bid.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to cover this program and get to work with Gary Darby,” Holloway said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to learn the game from a high level through Coach Beard and his staff, and to get back to being around the game and the players. I’ve known Gary Darby since I was playing at Ole Miss, and am definitely excited to work with and learn from him.”

Holloway has also spent time with third-year head coach Chris Beard and his Ole Miss staff. Beard was pushing for Holloway to get the analyst job, sources told Rebel Grove.

“We greatly appreciate David Kellum and Marc Dukes for their loyalty and contributions to Ole Miss Basketball over many years,” Beard said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Gary Darby and Murphy Holloway this season.”

Ole Miss will open the 2025-26 season either late October or early November. The full schedule has not yet been finalized and announced.

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