Who is J.P. Staples and what is his connection to Ole Miss?

J.P. Staples is a former American football coach who served as the head football coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 1974 to 1982. He compiled a record of 72474 at Ole Miss, including five bowl game appearances. Staples is a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame.

Staples was born in Mississippi and played college football at Mississippi State University. After graduating from Mississippi State, Staples began his coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Southern Mississippi. He later served as the head football coach at Memphis State University from 1966 to 1973.

Staples' tenure at Ole Miss was marked by success on the field and controversy off the field. He led the Rebels to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977. However, he was also criticized for his recruiting practices and his handling of the program's finances.

Staples was fired from Ole Miss in 1982 after eight seasons. He later coached at the University of Arkansas and the University of Central Arkansas.

Name	Born	Alma Mater	Coaching Career
J.P. Staples	1925	Mississippi State University	1966-1989

J.P. Staples is a significant figure in Ole Miss football history. He led the Rebels to five bowl games and was a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy. Staples' legacy at Ole Miss is a complex one, but he remains an important figure in the program's history.

J.P. Staples

J.P. Staples' tenure as the head football coach at Ole Miss was a significant chapter in the program's history. Here are seven key aspects of his career:

Success on the field: Staples led Ole Miss to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977.
Controversy off the field: Staples was criticized for his recruiting practices and his handling of the program's finances.
Eight seasons as head coach: Staples coached at Ole Miss from 1974 to 1982.
Mississippi native: Staples was born in Mississippi and played college football at Mississippi State University.
Hall of Fame coach: Staples is a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame.
Later coached at Arkansas and Central Arkansas: After leaving Ole Miss, Staples coached at the University of Arkansas and the University of Central Arkansas.
Complex legacy: Staples' legacy at Ole Miss is complex, marked by both success and controversy.

These key aspects provide a comprehensive overview of J.P. Staples' career at Ole Miss. His success on the field led to five bowl appearances, but his tenure was also marked by controversy. Staples' legacy remains a complex one, but he is undoubtedly an important figure in Ole Miss football history.

1. Success on the field

J.P. Staples' success on the field was a major factor in his legacy at Ole Miss. He led the Rebels to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977, which was the program's first major bowl appearance in over a decade. Staples' success on the field helped to raise the profile of Ole Miss football and made him a popular figure among fans.

Winning Record: Staples compiled a 72-47-4 record at Ole Miss, which is the third-best winning percentage in program history. His teams were known for their tough defense and efficient offense.
Bowl Appearances: Staples led Ole Miss to five bowl games, which is tied for the most in program history. The Rebels won two of those bowl games, including the 1977 Sugar Bowl.
National Rankings: Staples' teams were ranked in the Top 25 of the AP Poll in four of his eight seasons at Ole Miss. The Rebels reached as high as No. 10 in the polls in 1976.
Player Development: Staples was known for his ability to develop players. Several of his players went on to successful NFL careers, including running back Tony Nathan and wide receiver John Jefferson.

Staples' success on the field helped to make Ole Miss football a force to be reckoned with in the Southeastern Conference. His teams were consistently competitive and were always in contention for a bowl game. Staples' success on the field is a major reason why he is remembered as one of the most successful coaches in Ole Miss history.

2. Controversy off the field

J.P. Staples' tenure at Ole Miss was marked by both success on the field and controversy off the field. One of the biggest controversies surrounding Staples was his recruiting practices. Staples was accused of paying players to come to Ole Miss, which was a violation of NCAA rules. He was also accused of giving preferential treatment to players from his home state of Mississippi.

Title of Facet 1
Staples' recruiting practices were investigated by the NCAA on multiple occasions. In 1977, the NCAA placed Ole Miss on probation for two years for recruiting violations. Staples was also personally fined by the NCAA.
Title of Facet 2
Staples was also criticized for his handling of the program's finances. He was accused of misusing funds and of giving preferential treatment to certain donors. In 1982, Staples was fired by Ole Miss after an audit of the program's finances revealed numerous irregularities.
Title of Facet 3
The controversy surrounding Staples' recruiting practices and his handling of the program's finances tarnished his legacy at Ole Miss. He is remembered as a successful coach on the field, but his off-the-field controversies overshadow his accomplishments.

The controversy surrounding J.P. Staples is a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in college athletics. It is important for coaches to follow NCAA rules and to be transparent about their recruiting practices and their handling of program finances.

3. Eight seasons as head coach

J.P. Staples' eight seasons as head coach at Ole Miss were a significant period in the program's history. He led the Rebels to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy, including allegations of recruiting violations and financial improprieties.

Staples' success on the field is undeniable. He won 72 games at Ole Miss, which is the third-best winning percentage in program history. He also developed several players who went on to successful NFL careers, including running back Tony Nathan and wide receiver John Jefferson.

However, Staples' off-the-field controversies overshadow his accomplishments on the field. In 1977, the NCAA placed Ole Miss on probation for two years for recruiting violations. Staples was also personally fined by the NCAA. In 1982, Staples was fired by Ole Miss after an audit of the program's finances revealed numerous irregularities.

The eight seasons that J.P. Staples coached at Ole Miss were a tumultuous period in the program's history. He achieved success on the field, but his tenure was also marked by controversy. Staples' legacy at Ole Miss is a complex one, but he remains an important figure in the program's history.

4. Mississippi native

J.P. Staples' deep ties to the state of Mississippi played a significant role in his success as head coach at Ole Miss. As a native of the state, Staples had a deep understanding of the football culture and traditions in Mississippi. He was also familiar with the state's top high school football players, which gave him a significant advantage in recruiting.

Title of Facet 1: Staples' understanding of Mississippi football culture
Staples grew up in Mississippi and played college football at Mississippi State University. This gave him a firsthand understanding of the state's football culture and traditions. He knew what it took to be successful in Mississippi football, and he was able to use this knowledge to his advantage as head coach at Ole Miss.
Title of Facet 2: Staples' familiarity with Mississippi high school football players
Staples' familiarity with Mississippi high school football players was another major advantage for him as head coach at Ole Miss. He knew which players were the best in the state, and he was able to recruit them to Ole Miss. This gave him a significant edge over other schools in the SEC.
Title of Facet 3: Staples' success as head coach at Ole Miss
Staples' success as head coach at Ole Miss is a testament to his deep ties to the state of Mississippi. He was able to use his understanding of the state's football culture and his familiarity with Mississippi high school football players to build a successful program at Ole Miss.

J.P. Staples' Mississippi roots were a major factor in his success as head coach at Ole Miss. He was able to use his knowledge of the state's football culture and his familiarity with Mississippi high school football players to build a successful program at Ole Miss.

5. Hall of Fame coach

J.P. Staples is a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs. Staples' induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to his success as head coach of the Ole Miss football team from 1974 to 1982.

During his tenure at Ole Miss, Staples led the Rebels to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977. He also developed several players who went on to successful NFL careers, including running back Tony Nathan and wide receiver John Jefferson. Staples' success on the field is undeniable, and his induction into the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to his accomplishments.

Beyond his on-field success, Staples is also remembered for his contributions to the Ole Miss community. He was a strong supporter of academic achievement and was known for his dedication to his players. Staples' legacy at Ole Miss is a complex one, but his induction into the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame is a testament to his overall impact on the university.

6. Later coached at Arkansas and Central Arkansas

J.P. Staples' coaching career extended beyond his tenure at Ole Miss. After leaving Ole Miss in 1982, Staples coached at the University of Arkansas and the University of Central Arkansas.

Staples' time at Arkansas was brief. He was hired as the head coach in 1984, but was fired after just two seasons with a record of 4-18. His tenure at Central Arkansas was more successful. He coached the Bears for six seasons, from 1987 to 1992, and compiled a record of 37-26. He led the Bears to two NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances, in 1988 and 1991.

Staples' coaching career at Arkansas and Central Arkansas was not as successful as his time at Ole Miss. However, it is important to note that he was coaching at two different levels of college football. Arkansas is a Power Five school, while Central Arkansas is a Football Championship Series (FCS) school. The competition level is much higher at the Power Five level, so it is not surprising that Staples' record was not as good at Arkansas.

Despite his mixed success at Arkansas and Central Arkansas, Staples' overall coaching record is impressive. He won 113 games in his 16 seasons as a head coach. He is a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame, and his legacy as a successful college football coach is secure.

7. Complex legacy

J.P. Staples' legacy at Ole Miss is a complex one, marked by both success and controversy. He was a successful coach on the field, leading the Rebels to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy, including allegations of recruiting violations and financial improprieties.

The controversy surrounding Staples' recruiting practices and his handling of the program's finances tarnished his legacy at Ole Miss. He is remembered as a successful coach on the field, but his off-the-field controversies overshadow his accomplishments.

Staples' complex legacy is a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in college athletics. It is important for coaches to follow NCAA rules and to be transparent about their recruiting practices and their handling of program finances.

FAQs on J.P. Staples and Ole Miss

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about J.P. Staples and his tenure as head coach at Ole Miss.

Question 1: What was J.P. Staples' record as head coach at Ole Miss?

Answer: Staples compiled a record of 72-47-4 at Ole Miss, which is the third-best winning percentage in program history.

Question 2: How many bowl games did J.P. Staples lead Ole Miss to?

Answer: Staples led Ole Miss to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977.

Question 3: Why was J.P. Staples fired from Ole Miss?

Answer: Staples was fired from Ole Miss in 1982 after an audit of the program's finances revealed numerous irregularities.

Question 4: Is J.P. Staples a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame?

Answer: Yes, Staples is a member of the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame.

Question 5: What is J.P. Staples' legacy at Ole Miss?

Answer: Staples' legacy at Ole Miss is complex, marked by both success on the field and controversy off the field.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about J.P. Staples and his tenure at Ole Miss. For more information, please consult the following resources:

Wikipedia: J.P. Staples
Rebel Nation: J.P. Staples
Sports Reference: J.P. Staples

Conclusion

J.P. Staples' tenure as head coach at Ole Miss was a complex and controversial one. He achieved success on the field, leading the Rebels to five bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 1977. However, his tenure was also marked by allegations of recruiting violations and financial improprieties.

Staples' legacy at Ole Miss is a mixed one. He is remembered as a successful coach on the field, but his off-the-field controversies overshadow his accomplishments. His story is a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in college athletics.

Despite the controversy surrounding his tenure, Staples remains an important figure in Ole Miss football history. He was a successful coach on the field, and he helped to raise the profile of the program. His legacy is a complex one, but he is undoubtedly one of the most important coaches in Ole Miss history.