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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: Baker Discusses Offense as Week 2 Begins
8/10/2026 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss football team has entered the second week of fall camp, with the Rebels continuing to build toward the 2026 season opener against Louisville. As the team moves deeper into camp, the Rebels are continuing to develop their identity and find ways to maximize the talent across the offense.
Offensive coordinator John David Baker spoke with local media Monday about his first several months back in Oxford, the identity he hopes to establish with the Rebel offense and the continued development of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Finding the Identity
As Baker settles back into the Ole Miss offense, he emphasized that his goal isn't to completely reinvent a system that has been successful in Oxford. Instead, Baker wants to identify the strengths of this year's personnel and put those players in the best possible positions to succeed.
"I don't think it's so much putting my stamp on things. It's more so like we've been very successful here over the last five, six years because we've understood, okay, what are our pieces? And then using those guys the right way while also sticking to the core things that we believe in."
Baker said the Rebels want to play with pace, run the football effectively, be physical and create explosive plays.
"We're going to play fast. We're going to run the football. We're going to be physical. We're going to create explosive plays. Those are the things that we want to be about."
A Versatile Tight End Room
Baker sees plenty of versatility within the tight end room, with several players bringing different skill sets to the position. Rather than forcing the group into one specific role, the goal is to find where each player can be most effective.
"It's a unique room. You got a lot of different pieces in there. And it's all about... figuring out how they fit, where to use them. You know, where do they fit best?"
He also emphasized how much responsibility the position carries within the offense.
"It's probably one of the hardest positions to play in our offense, because you got to be able to do so many different things."
Trust Over Talent
With competition throughout the offense, Baker said players will ultimately earn opportunities by consistently showing that they can be trusted to do their jobs.
"At the end of the day, it's about trust over talent. Can I trust you to do your job?"
That philosophy extends to the wide receiver room, where Baker wants to have a deep group of players he can confidently put on the field.
"I would love to have five or six guys that I can put in a game and say, 'Hey, I trust you. Go play.'"
Continuing Trinidad's Growth
Baker believes Chambliss has another level to reach after his success last season. For the offensive coordinator, that development goes beyond statistics and centers on leadership.
"To me, the greatest trait of a quarterback is, you know, do you make the guys around you better?"
Baker said Chambliss' continued growth will include learning how to bring the entire offense along with him.
"He's got to continue to learn how to bring guys with him, not just at the skill position, but those guys up front, tight ends, running backs, whoever it is."
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with all the latest Ole Miss football news and content this season! Subscribe to The Sip, the official newsletter of Rebel football, and we'll drop the best Ole Miss football stories, videos and social media content to your inbox.
Offensive coordinator John David Baker spoke with local media Monday about his first several months back in Oxford, the identity he hopes to establish with the Rebel offense and the continued development of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Finding the Identity
As Baker settles back into the Ole Miss offense, he emphasized that his goal isn't to completely reinvent a system that has been successful in Oxford. Instead, Baker wants to identify the strengths of this year's personnel and put those players in the best possible positions to succeed.
"I don't think it's so much putting my stamp on things. It's more so like we've been very successful here over the last five, six years because we've understood, okay, what are our pieces? And then using those guys the right way while also sticking to the core things that we believe in."
Baker said the Rebels want to play with pace, run the football effectively, be physical and create explosive plays.
"We're going to play fast. We're going to run the football. We're going to be physical. We're going to create explosive plays. Those are the things that we want to be about."
A Versatile Tight End Room
Baker sees plenty of versatility within the tight end room, with several players bringing different skill sets to the position. Rather than forcing the group into one specific role, the goal is to find where each player can be most effective.
"It's a unique room. You got a lot of different pieces in there. And it's all about... figuring out how they fit, where to use them. You know, where do they fit best?"
He also emphasized how much responsibility the position carries within the offense.
"It's probably one of the hardest positions to play in our offense, because you got to be able to do so many different things."
Trust Over Talent
With competition throughout the offense, Baker said players will ultimately earn opportunities by consistently showing that they can be trusted to do their jobs.
"At the end of the day, it's about trust over talent. Can I trust you to do your job?"
That philosophy extends to the wide receiver room, where Baker wants to have a deep group of players he can confidently put on the field.
"I would love to have five or six guys that I can put in a game and say, 'Hey, I trust you. Go play.'"
Continuing Trinidad's Growth
Baker believes Chambliss has another level to reach after his success last season. For the offensive coordinator, that development goes beyond statistics and centers on leadership.
"To me, the greatest trait of a quarterback is, you know, do you make the guys around you better?"
Baker said Chambliss' continued growth will include learning how to bring the entire offense along with him.
"He's got to continue to learn how to bring guys with him, not just at the skill position, but those guys up front, tight ends, running backs, whoever it is."
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with all the latest Ole Miss football news and content this season! Subscribe to The Sip, the official newsletter of Rebel football, and we'll drop the best Ole Miss football stories, videos and social media content to your inbox.
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