What Is 2006 Ole Miss Rebels football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 4–8 record under head coach Ed Orgeron. They competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division and played home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.

Key Facts

The 2006 Ole Miss Rebels finished with a 4–8 overall record
Head coach Ed Orgeron was in his second season leading the team
Ole Miss played in the SEC Western Division of the Southeastern Conference
The team scored 245 total points, averaging 20.4 points per game
They played home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

Overview

The 2006 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division, the team struggled to find consistency under head coach Ed Orgeron, who was in his second year at the helm.

Despite high hopes following a promising 2005 campaign, the Rebels regressed in 2006, finishing with a 4–8 overall record and a 2–6 mark in conference play. The season included losses to ranked teams such as LSU and Florida, but also notable wins over Memphis and Vanderbilt.

Record: The team finished with a 4–8 overall record, their worst since 2002, reflecting a decline in performance compared to the previous season’s 3–8 finish.
Head Coach: Ed Orgeron, in his second season, faced increasing scrutiny as the team failed to improve under his leadership despite recruiting efforts.
Stadium: Home games were played at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, which had a capacity of approximately 50,000 fans.
Scoring: Ole Miss scored 245 total points during the season, averaging 20.4 points per game, while allowing 301 points against (25.1 per game).
SEC West: Competing in the tough SEC Western Division, the Rebels faced powerhouses like LSU, Auburn, and Arkansas, contributing to their difficult schedule.

Season Performance

The 2006 season was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive struggles, particularly in key conference matchups. The team showed flashes of potential but failed to sustain momentum over a full game or stretch of games.

Opening Game: The Rebels opened the season with a 28–10 loss to #11 Louisville, setting a negative tone for the year ahead.
Win Over Memphis: A 38–28 victory in Week 2 provided hope, as quarterback Brent Schaeffer threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
SEC Play: Ole Miss started conference play 0–3, losing to LSU, Vanderbilt, and Georgia, before defeating Vanderbilt 28–14 in October.
Defensive Issues: The defense allowed 25 or more points in eight games, struggling to contain both the run and pass against SEC opponents.
Home Record: The team went 3–4 at home, including a 34–10 loss to in-state rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.
Season Finale: The Rebels lost the 2006 Egg Bowl 34–10, marking their third consecutive loss to Mississippi State and sealing a losing season.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2006 Ole Miss Rebels to the previous and following seasons in key performance metrics:

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Points For	Points Against	Head Coach
2005	3–8	1–7	212	270	Ed Orgeron
2006	4–8	2–6	245	301	Ed Orgeron
2007	3–9	2–6	213	283	Ed Orgeron
2008	9–4	4–4	332	262	Houston Nutt
2009	9–4	4–4	313	237	Houston Nutt

The 2006 season represented a slight improvement in win total over 2005 but failed to translate into better conference results or bowl eligibility. It highlighted the challenges Ed Orgeron faced in rebuilding the program before his eventual dismissal after 2007. The hiring of Houston Nutt in 2008 would later stabilize the team.

Why It Matters

The 2006 Ole Miss Rebels season is a case study in the volatility of college football programs during transitional coaching periods. While not a complete failure, it underscored the difficulty of sustaining progress in the highly competitive SEC.

Program Trajectory: The 4–8 record continued a pattern of mediocrity, delaying meaningful success until the arrival of Houston Nutt in 2008.
Recruiting Impact: Orgeron’s recruiting classes were rated moderately well, but player development lagged behind expectations in 2006.
Coaching Pressure: The season increased scrutiny on Orgeron, who was ultimately fired after a 3–9 finish in 2007.
SEC Competition: The Rebels’ struggles reflected the growing strength of the SEC, which dominated national rankings during this era.
Stadium Atmosphere: Despite losing seasons, Vaught–Hemingway Stadium maintained strong attendance, showing enduring fan support.
Historical Context: The 2006 season is remembered as a low point before a brief resurgence, illustrating the ups and downs of mid-tier SEC programs.

Ultimately, the 2006 campaign serves as a reminder that college football success requires more than talent—it demands coaching stability, player development, and strategic planning, all of which would eventually align in later years.