Headlines
Blogger Reports Jones Ole Miss Tenure May Be Nearing End
Chancellor Dan Jones is the University of Mississippi’s 16th chancellor and was appointed in 2009.
Jackson-based political columnist Wayne Weidie in the Weide Report posted a column this morning stating the trustees of Mississippi’s Institutions for Higher Learning tabled, at the last moment, a decision to not extend the contract of University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones.
Here is the column:
Handwriting on the Wall? Leadership Change at Ole Miss?
There has been controversy surrounding Dan Jones from almost the time that he was named chancellor of the University of Mississippi in 2009. I heard reports almost two years ago that there was an effort by Ole Miss alumni to replace Jones. There was even some buzz last week before the trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning held their regular meeting in Hattiesburg. Rumors and some confirmed reports said that during an executive session of the college board a move would be made to end Jones’ tenure at Ole Miss and his contract would not be extended.
According to several sources, a very prominent Mississippian made calls that caused the motion to replace Jones to be tabled, or for the board not to move forward with a motion to replace Jones. It seems apparent to many people that Jones’ days as chancellor at Ole Miss are nearing an end. It has also been rumored that Gov. Phil Bryant is not a supporter of Jones and future appointments to the college board will reflect his position. Will Jones gracefully exit as chancellor? That’s a key question. It could also be a very touchy question for the Ole Miss family. How will the national media report any move to oust Jones? Even if there are solid reasons that Jones should be replaced, in light of other negative publicity, will the national press report that Jones was forced out because the Ole Miss old guard was successful and they opposed various changes that Jones implemented which shed too many of the Ole Miss traditions?
While such reports would be unfair to the university, the reporting by the press would certainly be predictable and not what the vast majority of Ole Miss alumni would like to see happen. There are a lot of good things taking place at Ole Miss. Stay tuned, but for the sake of Ole Miss, let’s hope there is a positive ending to any change at the top in leadership of the university.
Courtesy of the Weidie Report
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | 2:30 PM ABC |
JD Turner
October 22, 2014 at 10:23 am
That would be great if Jones would leave. We need to find someone who actually cares & loves this University – the good & the bad. We also need to get rid of Bryant. He is horrible for MS and the ones who want to move MS into the future.
Leo
October 22, 2014 at 10:54 am
This is pure nonsense. Jones isn’t going anywhere and this “story” has no basis in fact. It’s just ranting from people who only care about their personal agendas and don’t care about the academic reputation or the future of Ole Miss.
Barry
October 22, 2014 at 11:01 am
JD Turner, “we need someone who cares about the bad”? Are you serious? If you admit it is bad, then why would we want something bad associated with the university? That’s just stupid on the face of it! It’s just proof you don’t care about ole miss one bit.
As for you comment about not wanting to move into the future, I’m just dumbfound by the small-mindedness of that comment.
Susan
October 22, 2014 at 11:05 am
Dan Jones is doing a wonderful job as Chancellor of Ole Miss.
Robert
October 22, 2014 at 11:14 am
The only people who are unhappy with the job Dan Jones is doing are malcontents, neoconfederates, and people not associated with Ole Miss in any fashion. This story is ridicules. Ole Miss is growing under Jones’s leadership, just look at all the construction on campus, and our enrollment is at an all-time high. As for athletics, our baseball team finished the season ranked #3 in the nation, out basketball team in going to be strong this season and will soon move into a state of the art facility, and out football team in currently undefeated and has a real shot at making the first NCAA playoffs!
I support Dan Jones 100%! Hotty Toddy!
Tommy
October 22, 2014 at 11:17 am
Dan Jones is arguably the greatest Chancellor the University has ever had. Unparalleled success as a leader for our school. New facilities, improved academics, outstanding athletics, and most importantly made critical leadership decisions to bring Ole Miss into the 21st century. I hope he stays as long as he wishes.
class of '71
October 22, 2014 at 11:17 am
The guy who wrote that blog must have been drunk.
Rebel Fan
October 22, 2014 at 11:28 am
JD Turner, go back to Starkville!
William
October 22, 2014 at 12:22 pm
There is absolutely NO TRUTH to this report . NONE.
I spoke with a member of IHL board and confirmed that Chancellor Jones is highly regarded and will, as he should, receive a new contract.
Ole MIss is doing better academically and athletically than anytime in its history. That doesnt happen without great leadership. It has blown past USM and MSU in enrollment and is rising every year.
Dan Jones is a great Chancellor to all of us except those who refuse to accept the facts… and the facts support that OLE MISS is doing exceptionally well under its current leadership.
Perhaps our rivals would like to start a rumor to try and hurt Ole Miss…. that’s what this “blog” report sounds like.
JTL
October 22, 2014 at 12:48 pm
I do not believe one word of that blog report. Dan Jones is doing an exceptional job, and I support him without question. It’s never been a better time to be an Ole Miss Rebel!
Bill McMurtray
October 22, 2014 at 12:56 pm
At this time there is more success, for all citizens, at The University of Mississippi, than any past period. Beautiful new buildings, academic achievement and giagant growth in enrollment.
Don’t let the “old guard” put the shinning star of the state in the shadows of the dark past.
Lisa M. (class of '94)
October 22, 2014 at 12:58 pm
This supposed “blog story” reads like simple-minded drivel from some of these outside groups who like to use our university as a soapbox for their various causes. I honestly with these idiots would go away. They are not welcomed here, but Dan Jones is more than welcomed. He is doing an excellent job leading Ole Miss.
Jessica
October 22, 2014 at 1:04 pm
As a student of Ole Miss, we all hate Dan Jones. We feel as though he is running this University into the ground in order to appear better on paper, the students do not feel like he cares about us at all. We are glad to see him go.
D.C. McBride
October 22, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Wayne Weidie and JD Turner are twits.
HOTTY TODDY!
GO REBELS!
David W Wright
October 22, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Nothing in that blog story is true. It’s pure fiction dreamed up by people who want to hurt Ole Miss.
Colonel Reb
October 22, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Since Jones has been hired, he has caused one controversy after the next! Most Ole Miss people do not want him as the leader of our University! He should go!
T. Martin
October 22, 2014 at 1:23 pm
As a student at Ole Miss, I can say I support Dan Jones and think He is going a great job. I feel very welcomed here. I don’t known why anyone would say Dan Jones is doing a bad job unless they don’t really care about Ole Miss.
Angela L. Simmons
October 22, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Chancellor Jones has made Ole Miss a more welcoming place. I’m glad I came here.
H.W. Smith
October 22, 2014 at 2:00 pm
I notice none of the critics of the chancellor have offered any evidence to support their claims that he should be removed from his leadership position at Ole Miss while some of his supporters here have offered evidence to back up why he should remain. This suggests his detractors lack real credibility and have ulterior motives that are not in the best interest of Ole Miss.
It should also be pointed out that it is very irresponsible of Hottytoddy.com to post this story given its total lack of factual evidence.
Kristen
October 22, 2014 at 2:40 pm
The blogger has an interesting background: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayneweidie
Richard
October 22, 2014 at 2:48 pm
Please take this stupid story down. There is nothing true about it, and it just makes Hottytoddy.com look foolish.
Larry
October 22, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Total B.S.
Kristen
October 22, 2014 at 3:07 pm
The article only says “a move would be made to end Jones’ tenure at Ole Miss.” A “move” might be nothing more than a vocal group speaking to the IHL for a few minutes.
Maroon Dawg
October 22, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Hail State!
iPhone
October 22, 2014 at 3:56 pm
People who post from phones sure do have heavy thumbs. Darn autocorrect!
Screw you, State!
Bill
October 22, 2014 at 4:08 pm
This is fake. The chancellor is not leaving the University of Mississippi.
javadanny
October 22, 2014 at 4:51 pm
Dan Jones should remain until he has accomplished all of his goals. Phil Bryant is a living example of the Peter Principle and should be forced out of office next year.
deputyreb
October 22, 2014 at 5:36 pm
This all points to MSU trying to control the political offices of this state.
Bob
October 22, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Dan Jones is a man of high integrity and has been an excellent leader for Ole Miss. I’m proud to work at the university with him as Chancellor. He has done an outstanding job in all objective areas: recruitment and retention of students, endowment, capital improvements, etc.
Hail State
October 22, 2014 at 6:31 pm
A statewide conspiracy by MSU alums to control Mississippi politics? You Black Bears are insane. Go iron your Izods.
Joseph
October 22, 2014 at 6:44 pm
This story has to be from The Onion because it’s the craziest thing I have seen all week. There’s no way Dan Jones will be run out of his position. He’s doing great things for Ole Miss.
The only people upset with him are rednecks and backward hicks.
Joseph
October 22, 2014 at 6:45 pm
Hail state:
I’ll iron my Izods if you wear shoes.
deputyreb
October 22, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Insane?
https://www.bullybloc.ms/
Forward Looking Reb
October 22, 2014 at 9:19 pm
Perhaps it’s because Dan Jones is positioning Ole Miss for the future. That can be frightening to Luddites.
Pucelonious Jones
October 22, 2014 at 9:52 pm
Keep him as he is great for the University of Mississippi and the Bears. Ole Miss is dead. Neoconfederates have lost their school and heritage. It is plain Jane vanilla from here on out. Should be successful in ridding the place of the “Ole Miss” moniker just like every other tradition. Long live Dan!
Alex McDaniel
October 22, 2014 at 10:37 pm
This is pure garbage.
ColRebSez
October 22, 2014 at 10:51 pm
Ole Miss has done well in recent years in spite of Dan Jones, not because of him. It has as much to do with the Texas 10% rule and the Georgia Hope scholarships as it does with any magic over here, although the idea of attending school in a small town has become more appealing.
Jones has repeatedly violated the Ole Miss creed concerning civility. He sent out a poorly worded letter that led papers around the country to falsely report that he had been physically threatened by Forward Rebels members. He made no correction, preferring to be a false martyr. This was an act of incivility in violation of the Ole Miss Creed.
I personally saw Jones share a podium with two speakers who declared that those who wanted a new coach and athletic director were similar to Citizens Council or Klan members. Jones took to the microphone and ratified their comments. This was a shocking and outlandish violation of the Ole Miss creed. He has never apologized. Note that if Jones had been allowed to have his way Ole Miss would not have a nationally ranked football team this year. He did not want us to have a good athletic director or a good coach and did everything he could to stop us.
Jones has shown a willingness to violate the Mississippi code. He refuses to obey the law. He frequently turns disputes into a pissing match to show people that he is the boss, and of course when he does the Ole Miss community loses. This demonstrates a real character flaw. He is, in short, a bad, deeply flawed man who needs to leave.
William
October 23, 2014 at 8:06 am
ColRebSez is a blithering idiot and has his/her own agenda. Not one word you wrote is true, but don’t let facts get in the way of a mindless rant.
ColRebSez
October 23, 2014 at 8:25 am
William, everyone has their own agenda; some call them opinions. You clearly have your own agenda. Please specify which claim I have made is not true so I may respond.
Ole Miss Rebel
October 23, 2014 at 8:54 am
Dan Jones will not compromise on any issue, he only wants PC! He cares nothing about our history! Example: Changing the name of Confederate Drive, there is a Confederate Cemetary at the end of Confederate Drive, this history belogs to all of us he has insulted the memory of all those soldiers.
Angela Neilson
October 23, 2014 at 9:00 am
I’m honestly tired of these little controversies. They are pointless and do nothing but hurt the university and our national image.
They are usually stirred up by people who do not care about Ole Miss, and I’m honestly sick of it all – ENOUGH! Chancellor Jones is doing a great job. The people clamoring for his removal haven’t one ounce of creditability and should stop crying like children and start acting like adults. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Sharon Neff
October 23, 2014 at 9:02 am
One can only hope he goes before he tears out the heart of Ole Miss and we become just another generic politically correct institution.
ColRebSez
October 23, 2014 at 9:11 am
Angela Neilson, if you want to talk about crying like little children you need to go back and read Dan Jones’ letter to alumni in which he whines that alumni aren’t supposed to argue with him about who should be the athletic director.
It’s important to note that if Dan Jones had gotten his way we wouldn’t have gotten a new AD and likely wouldn’t have the football program we have today. He tried to keep us from winning. I would also point out that Dan Jones is responsible for turning many of these minor controversies into major news events. His p.r. and communication skills are terrible.
Here’s a link to a blog post I wrote that includes his uncivil letter I mentioned above. Within 48 hours of Jones sending out this letter the Forward Rebels Facebook page went from 5,400 to 6,200 members, so clearly Jones has perfected the art of agitating people:
https://colrebsez.blogspot.com/2011/09/ole-miss-chancellor-dan-jones-has.html
Amber (UM class of 2015)
October 23, 2014 at 9:31 am
The Chancellor’s critics apparently care more about a street sign than the university – pathetic!
Angela Neilson
October 23, 2014 at 9:37 am
I’m not imprressed with your blog post.
ColRebSez
October 23, 2014 at 10:17 am
Angela Neilson, you don’t have to be impressed with the post. Just pointing out that Jones had acted like a little crybaby in the past. He’s also engaged in quite a bit of name-calling.
Amber, we are a nation of laws, not men. Certainly the best reading of the Mississippi law is that the street name may not be changed. Caring about obeying the law and respecting our heritage is caring about the university. The rhetoric that comes from people like Dan Jones and you is very hurtful to others.
Amber (UM class of 2015)
October 23, 2014 at 11:06 am
Rhetoric from me?
BaHahahaha!
Colonel Reb
October 23, 2014 at 11:09 am
A street sign repersents our history, it should not be swept aside because of Dan Jones personal opions! It belongs to the people of Mississippi and supporters of Ole Miss! This does matter to many people. It is not right or fair! My understanding is that he also violated Mississippi Law with his actions!
Amber (UM class of 2015)
October 23, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Go cheer for State.
Will Marler
October 23, 2014 at 5:42 pm
I agree that Dan Jones is doing a superb job. If he would just institute a name change to bears, land sharks or flood and be DONE with it. The Neoconfederates who want to refer to the University of Mississippi as Ole Miss and Rebels need to just GO AWAY! We have faculty that is on board and the change should be made immediately!
Then can be a progressive institution!
Beau Brooks
October 24, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Why would national press reports from Fox News, CNN, CNBC and CBS that Jones was forced out because the Ole Miss old guard because they opposed various changes that Jones implemented which shed too many of the Ole Miss traditions be a bad thing?
Those reports would be true. Having THE TRUTH reported is NEVER a bad thing.
Marcus
October 24, 2014 at 7:00 pm
In the early 80’s I was on the Chancellor’s Committee for Black Student Concerns. we had lunch once a month in the Chanellor Dining Room at the Student Union. One meeting the Chancellor was out of town so the Vice C , Lucious Williams hosted the lunch. Lydia Spragin, the head of the Black Studen Union voiced to Chancellor Williams that “Coach (Steve) Sloan can’t recruit for the football program because the band plays Dixie and the cheerleaders hand out rebel flags.
Chancellor Williams, a wicked smart and charming educator who just happened to be black pulled his half frame glasses down his nose and said …”Lydia, Coach Sloan cannot recruit quality football players no matter the color because he only won three games last year.” True dat! Winners, no matter they color want to play on winning teams…The Ole Miss REBELS have finally arrived at this. Mark Mead
J. W. Egbert
October 27, 2014 at 8:25 am
In reading all the comments posted here, I am somewhat amused at ColRebSez (Frank Hurdle) saying Chancellor Jones has terrible P.R and communication skills given Hurdle is the go-to-guy for anyone in the media looking for an stupid sound bite relating to Ole Miss. As evidence, I give you this little jewel from Hurdle about the recent vandalism of the Meredith statue on campus:
“It’s a mistake to base any decision on this, whether it was done by white racists or whether it was a hoax”, said Frank M. Hurdle, an Oxford lawyer and blogger. “Now, if you can show me that several hundred students got together in a meeting and did this, then I will be the first one to say that we need to have some systemic changes made. But we all know that’s not what happened.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/us/racist-episodes-continue-to-stir-ole-miss-campus.html?_r=0
The only thing missing from Hurdle’s comment is banjo music in the background.
I think the best thing Frank Hurdle can do for Ole Miss and the entire state of Mississippi is to keep his mouth shut.
ColRebSez
October 27, 2014 at 3:30 pm
J.W. Egbert, I stand by my quote, which was made at a time when we had no idea who had placed the noose on the Meredith statue. If you do a Google search you will find that the overwhelming majority of incidents of this type involving nooses and committed by either blacks or “progressive” whites seeking to draw attention to racism. In fact, such hoax attacks have happened at Ole Miss before, such as the Kincannon hate-crime hoax in 2002.
No need for me to shut my mouth Egbert, because when I open it nothing but the truth comes out. Perhaps you should shut yours because when you and your liberal friends speak the whole world sees how stupid and dishonest you are.
J. W. Egbert
October 27, 2014 at 3:47 pm
I never said I was liberal. In fact, I’m a life long Republican, and I’m tired of people like you pumping life into the Mississippi stereotype. I bet the media types have you on speed dial when they need a good Bubba quote. You sure are thin-skinned for a lawyer.
You also whine a lot, which is hilarious given your silly post about the Chancellor’s letter to alumni.
ColRebSez
October 27, 2014 at 7:55 pm
That’s fine Egbert. Didn’t know I was whining. But I do want to ask you to find me one case where an anonymous noose has been left on a college campus that was not done by blacks or whites seeking to promote awareness of “racism.” And while you are researching it, perhaps you will learn about how common race hoaxes are on college campuses. As a general rule, the more outrageous the act the more likely it is to be a hoax.
I would also point out that I did not claim it was a hoax. I said that we didn’t know who did it. I think it is proper not to rush to judgment. I’m not sure why you consider that a “Bubba” quote.
My best recollection is that prior to the NYT quote the last time I was quoted in a newspaper was 1991, and it was about a waste incinerator. So I’m not on anyone’s speed dial. But there are a lot of Mississippians who share my views, which are not a “stereotype.” In fact, I would guess that there are more folks like me than there are folks like you.
J.W. Egbert
October 28, 2014 at 8:01 am
All you had to do is say something like, “I don’t know who did it, but I hope they catch the perpetrator and punish him to the fullest extent of the law. Behavior like that has no place in our society and especially in Mississippi.” However, you didn’t take the high road. You reached in to the Bilbo playbook and pulled out the same tired conspiracy theory nonsense spewed since Goodman, Schwerner, and Cheney. The New York Times lit a flaming bag of poo on your doorstep and you delightfully stomped on it. Congratulations!
ColRebSez
October 30, 2014 at 7:19 pm
J.W. Egbert, I talked to the guy for 10 minutes. Believe it or not I said some things you would probably agree with and plenty you would disagree with.
At the time I gave the interview a hoax remained a possibility. Anyone who studies these types of events would agree. There is nothing wrong with referencing that possibility. Nor is there anything Bilboesque. The sheriff of Neshoba County suggest a conspiracy or hoax when he had actual knowledge of what had happened to Goodman, Schwerner, and Chaney. Big difference. You might as well compare me to Hitler so I can invoke Godwin’s Law.
J.W. Egbert
October 31, 2014 at 2:23 pm
If the shoe fits..
ColRebSez
March 20, 2015 at 9:17 pm
Looks like Wayne Weidie was right, so all of you extreme left-wingers need to take a big bite of Humble Pie.
Yosemite Rebel
March 24, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Again – this is about UMMC, NOT OLE MISS. Regardless, the man is gone. All you lefties out there in lala land, go back to wherever it is you came from so you can learn about TRUTH, TRADITION, HISTORY. The history of our OLE MISS and the riots are not pretty, very sad and tragic indeed, but still OUR HISTORY. This is about UMMC in Jackson, MS and problems with the contracts end of things. Besides, I know the man well. He is NOT what Ole Miss needs.