Ole Miss set to bring back Kevin Smith as running backs coach
A little over 24 hours after Ole Miss lost its current running backs coach it seems head coach Lane Kiffin has found the replacement and one that is already familiar with the program.
ESPN’s Chris Low reported on Tuesday that current Miami assistant coach Kevin Smith is working on ‘finalizing’ a deal with Kiffin to return to Ole Miss.
Smith, who spent one season at Miami after leaving Ole Miss for the running backs position last January, is reuniting with Kiffin once again. The two worked together at Florida Atlantic prior to both coming to Oxford.
Tuesday’s news comes after former running back’s coach Marquel Blackwell left Ole Miss to take the same position at Texas A&M, the second Rebels assistant coach head to College Station under Kiffin.
The addition of Smith is the fifth hire by Kiffin this offseason after it was another coaching carousel season where Ole Miss saw several assistants leave to new jobs or part of cleaning house. Smith is the second new hire to the offense, joining new offensive line coach John Garrison who joined the Rebels during Texas Bowl prep.
Getting Smith back in the fold helps keep stability off the field as well for Kiffin and Ole Miss.
Kiffin was vital to landing SEC-leading rusher Quinshon Judkins but Smith was also part of the recruiting efforts to get the Pike Road, Ala. standout.
With any coaching change there can be worry that a player might look for those proverbial ‘greener pastures’ in the transfer portal. Kiffin getting Smith to come back to Oxford helps alleviate some of those concerns as Judkins will have some familiarity and a comfort level with Smith.
Though this spring and fall will be the first time Smith has coached Judkins on the field. He left for Coral Gables soon after Judkins signed with Ole Miss 13 months ago.
While at Miami Smith oversaw a rushing attack led by former Ole Miss running back Henry Parrish, Jr. who transferred and followed Smith. Parrish led the Hurricanes with 604 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2022. The ‘Canes run game amassed 1,540 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, making them the 10th best in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season.
