What Is 1960 Ole Miss Rebels football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1960 Ole Miss Rebels football team, coached by Johnny Vaught, finished the season with a 10-0-1 record, winning the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship and ranking No. 3 in the final AP Poll. They defeated Rice 14-6 in the 1961 Sugar Bowl.

Key Facts

The 1960 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season undefeated with a 10-0-1 record
Head coach Johnny Vaught led the team to its third SEC championship in six years
Ole Miss defeated Rice 14-6 in the 1961 Sugar Bowl on January 2, 1961
The team was ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll and No. 4 in the UPI Poll
Quarterback Glynn Griffing was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association

Overview

The 1960 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. Under head coach Johnny Vaught, the team achieved a perfect 10-0-1 record, securing the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship and finishing ranked in the top five nationally.

One of the most dominant teams in program history, the 1960 Rebels were known for their strong defense and balanced offense. They capped the season with a victory in the Sugar Bowl, defeating the Rice Owls 14-6, and earned widespread acclaim for their disciplined play and depth across the roster.

Record: The team finished with a 10-0-1 overall record, the only blemish being a 6-6 tie against LSU in October.
SEC Champions: Ole Miss won the 1960 SEC title with a conference record of 5-0-1, edging out rivals Tennessee and Georgia for the crown.
Sugar Bowl Victory: On January 2, 1961, the Rebels defeated the Rice Owls 14-6 in the Sugar Bowl, played at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.
National Ranking: The team finished No. 3 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll and No. 4 in the United Press International (UPI) Coaches Poll.
Defensive Strength: Ole Miss allowed only 29 total points all season, an average of 2.6 points per game, one of the best defensive performances in college football history.

Season Highlights & Key Players

The 1960 season featured standout performances from several players who contributed to the team's success. From quarterback leadership to defensive dominance, the Rebels showcased depth and consistency across all phases of the game.

Glynn Griffing: The junior quarterback was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association and threw for 876 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Billy Ray Adams: A powerful fullback who rushed for 488 yards and scored 6 touchdowns, anchoring the ground attack.
Defense: The team featured future NFL players including Benjamin Franklin and Tommy Davis, who helped form a suffocating defensive unit.
Kicker:Don Williams contributed crucial field goals and extra points, finishing the season with 26 PATs and 4 field goals.
Johnny Vaught: In his 13th season as head coach, Vaught’s leadership was instrumental in maintaining discipline and focus throughout the undefeated campaign.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1960 Ole Miss Rebels compared favorably with other top teams of the era, both in performance and national recognition. The following table highlights key statistics against select national contenders.

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Bowl Result
Ole Miss	10-0-1	217	29	W 14-6 vs. Rice (Sugar)
Minnesota	8-2	221	77	L 7-17 vs. Washington (Rose)
Washington	10-1	216	77	W 17-7 vs. Minnesota (Rose)
UCLA	7-4	185	138	L 0-36 vs. Alabama (Cotton)
Alabama	8-3	177	72	W 36-0 vs. UCLA (Cotton)

The Rebels’ defensive performance stood out, as their 29 points allowed were the fewest among all top-10 teams. Their 217 points scored demonstrated consistent offensive production, though not as high as some spread-oriented teams of the time. The tie against LSU remained a talking point, but their dominant win in the Sugar Bowl solidified their elite status.

Why It Matters

The 1960 Ole Miss Rebels season remains a landmark in college football history, representing the peak of Johnny Vaught’s coaching era and one of the most disciplined teams ever fielded by the program. Their combination of defensive dominance and strategic execution influenced future Southern football programs.

Legacy: The 1960 team is often cited as one of the greatest in Ole Miss history, alongside the 1959 and 1962 squads.
Defensive Benchmark: Allowing only 2.6 points per game set a standard for defensive excellence in the SEC.
National Recognition: Finishing No. 3 in the AP Poll elevated Ole Miss into the national conversation during a competitive era.
Bowl Impact: The Sugar Bowl win helped boost the profile of Southern football programs in postseason play.
Recruiting: Success in 1960 helped attract top-tier talent to Oxford in the early 1960s.
Historical Context: The season occurred during a turbulent time in Mississippi, adding cultural and social significance to the team’s unifying role.

The 1960 Ole Miss Rebels remain a symbol of excellence, discipline, and resilience—qualities that continue to define the program’s legacy in college football history.