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Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a sixth year of eligibility by a Mississippi judge Thursday, but not before the testimony of one of his coaches raised eyebrows.
Joe Judge, Ole Miss’ quarterbacks coach, took the stand Thursday to discuss how important recovery is to athletes, given that one of Chambliss’ arguments was that he deserved a medical redshirt for the 2022 season because of a severe case of tonsillitis that prevented him from sleeping properly and performing at full capacity.
Judge, who once gave a nearly 12-minute answer during his tumultuous time as New York Giants head coach, then rambled on about how fathers who are athletes “must have different priorities” if they have a newborn during the season.
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Ole Miss head offensive line coach and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge testifies during the hearing of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss in his lawsuit against the NCAA at the Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Miss., Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“This is always a difficult conversation to have, it’s not even popular. We would have to educate significant others who may have been pregnant during the season or had a child during the season and you have to educate them about, ‘You have this baby in the middle of the season, that dad is going to play good football,'” Judge said.
“It’s a daily production business. He has to be ready to perform and go out there and play. And when I say that means you have to let him sleep, he has to be in another detached room. You have to explain to the mother like, ‘Hey, listen, he’s not waking up for the midnight spread.’
“After the season, he’s a complete metal jacket. You do what you want with him. He can change every diaper. But in the season, he has to have different priorities.”
Reactions were strong against Judge.
“I would not recommend sending your sons to play under this type of leadership. Good coaches know they are developing not only athletes, but future husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and leaders beyond the weight room and competition,” wrote one X user.
Mississippi Rebels quarterbacks coach Joe Judge with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal game at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
OLE MISS QUARTERBACK TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS AWARDED SIXTH YEAR OF NCAA REPORT OF STATE JUDGES
“Never take advice from a coach who ran this play,” wrote Onyx Odds alongside a screenshot of an infamous Giants quarterback sneak on third-and-9 from their own 4-yard line in the 2021 season (the play arguably led to Judge’s firing).
Another user said Judge’s words were “goofball messages”.
“I’m a father myself and I will always put my children’s needs before anything else. Besides, the things a woman has to deal with after giving birth are far worse than being tired in training,” the user said.
“Sure hope he never talks about developing his players into good men. Ever,” added NFL.com columnist Judy Battista.
However, two Giants reporters quickly came to the umpire’s defense.
“Joe is a good person and he speaks to the realities of dealing with responsibilities for college players and their significant others during the uniquely stressful time of their lives. Cutting this to ‘get’ him is bulls—,” said The Athletics’ Pat Leonard.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan echoed similar sentiments.
Mississippi Rebels quarterbacks coach Joe Judge against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal game at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
“Ironically, Joe Judge is the most family-oriented coach I’ve seen. He’s at Ole Miss in part because his son is on the team. And outside of football, he does everything with his wife and four kids,” he said.
Perhaps the judge’s testimony was enough as Chambliss, whose appeal was denied by the NCAA, got the sixth year he sought. The judge in the case said the NCAA “acted in bad faith.”
