What Is 1936 Ole Miss Rebels football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1936 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1936 college football season, finishing with a 6–3–2 record under head coach Ed Walker. They played in the Southeastern Conference and achieved a 2–2–1 conference record.

Key Facts

1936 Ole Miss Rebels finished with a 6–3–2 overall record
Team played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), established in 1933
Posted a 2–2–1 record in SEC conference play
Head coach Ed Walker led the team during his fifth season
Ole Miss played home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, MS

Overview

The 1936 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 1936 college football season, marking the program's 42nd season of intercollegiate competition. Competing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Ed Walker, who was in his fifth year at the helm.

The Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, a venue that has since become a cornerstone of the program’s identity. Though not among the most dominant teams in school history, the 1936 season reflected a transitional period for Ole Miss football as it sought consistency in a competitive conference.

Overall record: The 1936 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season with a 6–3–2 win-loss-tie record, reflecting moderate success on the field.
Conference affiliation: The team competed in the Southeastern Conference, which had been established just three years earlier in 1933 with 13 founding members.
SEC record: Ole Miss achieved a 2–2–1 record in conference play, demonstrating competitiveness against regional powerhouses like Alabama and Tennessee.
Head coach: Ed Walker served as head coach for the fifth consecutive season, compiling a 27–19–4 record during his tenure from 1932 to 1937.
Home stadium: The Rebels played at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium, which originally opened in 1929 and has undergone multiple expansions since.

Season Performance

The 1936 season featured a mix of strong showings and close contests, with the Rebels demonstrating resilience in both non-conference and SEC matchups. Their schedule included games against regional rivals and emerging football programs, offering a balanced test of skill and endurance.

September 25, 1936: Ole Miss opened the season with a 13–0 victory over Union (Tennessee), setting a positive tone early in the year.
October 10, 1936: The Rebels secured a 7–0 win over Mississippi State, a key victory in the in-state rivalry now known as the Egg Bowl.
October 24, 1936: A hard-fought 6–6 tie against Kentucky showcased defensive strength and strategic discipline under pressure.
November 7, 1936: Ole Miss tied Tennessee 0–0 in a defensive battle, holding the Volunteers scoreless despite Tennessee being a conference favorite.
November 21, 1936: The team tied 6–6 with Vanderbilt, marking their third tie of the season and highlighting challenges in closing out tight games.
November 28, 1936: In the season finale, Ole Miss lost 7–6 to archrival LSU, narrowly missing a winning record in the rivalry series.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1936 Ole Miss Rebels to other seasons and contemporaries reveals trends in program development and conference competitiveness.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Notable Result
1934	8–2–1	3–2–1	Ed Walker	Defeated Texas in the 1936 Cotton Bowl
1935	5–5–0	2–4–0	Ed Walker	Largest loss: 34–0 to Tennessee
1936	6–3–2	2–2–1	Ed Walker	Tied 0–0 with Tennessee
1937	3–6–0	2–4–0	Ed Walker	Ended streak of winning seasons
1938	7–3–0	3–2–0	Harry Mehre	New coach revitalized program

The table illustrates how the 1936 season served as a stabilizing year between less successful campaigns. While not reaching the heights of 1934 or 1938, the Rebels maintained a winning overall record and improved defensively compared to 1935. The three ties suggest a team capable of competing but lacking the edge to finish strong in close games.

Why It Matters

The 1936 Ole Miss Rebels season is a snapshot of mid-1930s college football in the South, reflecting the evolution of the SEC and regional athletic identity. Though overshadowed by more decorated seasons, it contributed to the foundation of a growing football tradition.

Historical continuity: The season maintained Ole Miss’s presence in the SEC during its formative years, helping solidify conference rivalries.
Coaching legacy: Ed Walker’s tenure, including the 1936 season, laid groundwork for future coaching hires and program development.
Stadium tradition: Playing at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium connected the team to a lasting home-field advantage and fan culture.
Rivalry continuity: Games against Mississippi State and LSU reinforced key regional rivalries that remain central to the program.
Statistical record: The 6–3–2 record is preserved in official NCAA and university archives, contributing to historical databases.
Pre-World War II era: The season reflects college football before major societal shifts brought by WWII, offering cultural and athletic context.

Ultimately, the 1936 Ole Miss Rebels represent a modest yet meaningful chapter in the university’s athletic history, illustrating perseverance and the gradual building of a football identity.