Congratulations Coach Pat Carter: Ole Miss Wins the Sugar Bowl
AEA client Pat Carter rang in 2026 with a trophy. On New Year's night at the Caesars Superdome, Ole Miss beat Georgia 39-34 in the 92nd Allstate Sugar Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, and Carter, the Rebels' assistant wide receivers coach, walked out of the locker room holding the Sugar Bowl Classic champion trophy.
The game
Georgia had beaten Ole Miss in the regular season. The rematch came down to the final seconds: Lucas Carneiro's 47-yard field goal with six seconds left put the Rebels ahead, and a safety on the ensuing kickoff closed it out. The two teams combined for 30 points in the fourth quarter in front of a sellout crowd of 68,371.[1]
The win moved Ole Miss to 13-1 and into the CFP semifinals against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. It was also the second win for head coach Pete Golding, promoted from defensive coordinator after Lane Kiffin left for LSU.[1]
Coach Carter's road here
Carter played wide receiver at Louisville and spent four seasons in the NFL, including a spot on the Miami Dolphins' roster in 2011. He joined the Ole Miss staff in 2023 after coaching high school football in Texas.[2] In Oxford he has worked with a receiver room that has carried the Rebels' offense, including through a coaching change and a playoff run.
Why AEA represents coaches
Coaches negotiate contracts, change jobs, and build personal brands the same way athletes do, and the stakes rise with every win. AEA's coaches representation covers contracts with institutions and NFL teams, brand partnerships, public relations and appearances, business management, and off-field ventures.
From AEA
Congratulations, Coach. Your leadership in the wide receiver room through a season of change shows in the way that group played in New Orleans. AEA is proud to represent you, and we are looking forward to what comes next.
Coaches and athletes: Start the conversation.
Sources
1. Allstate Sugar Bowl, "Rebels kicker Lucas Carneiro boots Ole Miss to 39-34 victory in 92nd Allstate Sugar Bowl against Georgia," Jan. 1, 2026. allstatesugarbowl.org
2. Sports Illustrated, "Rebels Hire Two New Analysts, Including Former Ole Miss Running Back Enrique Davis," Feb. 14, 2023. si.com
3. AEA on Instagram (@empowerathletes), Jan. 2, 2026.
FAQ
Who is Pat Carter?
Pat Carter is an AEA client and assistant wide receivers coach at Ole Miss. He played wide receiver at Louisville and spent four seasons in the NFL before moving into coaching.
What did Ole Miss win in the 2026 Sugar Bowl?
Ole Miss beat Georgia 39-34 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal, and advanced to the CFP semifinals.
Does AEA represent coaches?
Yes. AEA represents coaches in contracts with institutions or NFL teams, brand partnerships, public relations and appearances, business management, and off-field ventures.
