Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former NFL Head Coach Finds Role on Lane Kiffin's Staff

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi Dombro | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 4:51 PM ET

When the opportunity presented itself to employ a former NFL head coach on his staff at Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin had to jump at the idea. The NCAA recently loosened its restrictions on college football programs having analysts, so Kiffin added Joe Judge, former New York Giants head coach, to his staff as a senior analyst.

Last season, Judge was not permitted to actively coach at practice, but the NCAA recently ruled that this would no longer be in effect. Now, Judge can be hands-on at practice, which will allow him to work closely with sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons, who is poised to be Jaxon Dart's replacement.

Judge was an integral part of both the Alabama and New England Patriots' dynasties and became an NFL head coach at just 39 years old. Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart acknowledged what a benefit Judge's experience was to him in an interview before the Senior Bowl.

“Not a lot of people talk about the NFL coaching experience that we have,” said Dart. “I mean, at one time Coach Kiffin was the youngest head coach to ever be in the NFL. Coach Judge, obviously with his experience with the Patriots and him being a head coach for the Giants."

Dart is now poised to be selected in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, but Ole Miss may have another great signal-caller waiting in the wings. Austin Simmons will be the heir to the throne and should follow Dart's approach to interacting with the coaching staff next season.

“There’s no better staff when it comes to that. I feel like I just learned so much," said Dart. "I was just a sponge out there for them, trying to take in as much information and wisdom as I could.”

An inexperienced quarterback needs to take advantage of every opportunity that they can to grow as a player. With a coach like Joe Judge now on the field daily for the Rebels, Simmons may make a major leap in just one offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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