What Is 1939 Ole Miss Rebels football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1939 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1939 college football season, finishing with a 6–4–1 record under head coach Ed Walker. They played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and participated in their first-ever bowl game, the 1939 Cotton Bowl Classic, where they defeated Texas Christian University 13–9.

Key Facts

The 1939 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season with a 6–4–1 overall record
They played in the 1939 Cotton Bowl Classic on January 2, 1939, marking their first bowl appearance
Ole Miss defeated Texas Christian University 13–9 in the Cotton Bowl
Head coach Ed Walker led the team during his fifth and final season
The Rebels were members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and played a competitive conference schedule

Overview

The 1939 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1939 college football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Ed Walker and achieved a notable milestone by earning its first-ever bowl game invitation.

This season marked a turning point in Ole Miss football history, as the program began to gain national recognition. The team’s performance laid the foundation for future success in the coming decades, particularly in postseason play.

Record: The Rebels finished the 1939 season with a 6–4–1 overall record, reflecting a moderate level of success during a transitional era in college football.
Bowl Game: They made their first-ever bowl appearance in the 1939 Cotton Bowl Classic, played on January 2, 1939, against Texas Christian University (TCU).
Result: Ole Miss defeated TCU 13–9 in Dallas, Texas, marking a historic victory and the program’s first bowl win.
Head Coach: Ed Walker served as head coach for the fifth and final season of his tenure, compiling a mixed record but securing a landmark postseason berth.
SEC Play: As a member of the Southeastern Conference, the Rebels faced strong regional competition, including teams like Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU.

Season Performance

The 1939 campaign featured a mix of strong defensive stands and inconsistent offensive production. The Rebels showed resilience, particularly in their landmark bowl victory, which elevated the program’s national profile.

Defensive Standout: The team held TCU to just 9 points in the Cotton Bowl, despite facing a powerful Horned Frogs offense led by future NFL players.
Key Player: Quarterback Pete Lomax played a crucial role in the bowl game, leading the Rebels’ offense with disciplined play-calling and field management.
Regular Season: Ole Miss started the season 3–1 before losing three of their next five games, highlighting inconsistency against top-tier opponents.
Home Field: The team played home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, which had a capacity of approximately 20,000 at the time.
Postseason Impact: The Cotton Bowl win helped establish Ole Miss as a rising program in the South, paving the way for future bowl appearances in the 1950s and 1960s.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1939 Ole Miss Rebels with other notable teams from that season highlights their place in college football history:

Team	Record	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
Ole Miss Rebels	6–4–1	Won Cotton Bowl (13–9 vs TCU)	Unranked
TCU Horned Frogs	8–2	Lost Cotton Bowl	Unranked
Tennessee Volunteers	10–1	Won Sugar Bowl	No. 2
Texas A&M Aggies	11–0	Won Cotton Bowl (previous year)	No. 1 (AP)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	7–2	No bowl game	No. 7

The 1939 Ole Miss Rebels were not ranked in the final Associated Press poll, but their Cotton Bowl victory was a significant achievement. Compared to powerhouse teams like Tennessee and Texas A&M, Ole Miss was still building its program, but the postseason win signaled progress. The game also highlighted the growing importance of bowl games in shaping national perception during the era before widespread television coverage.

Why It Matters

The 1939 season remains a pivotal chapter in Ole Miss football history, representing the program’s arrival on the national stage. The Cotton Bowl victory was more than just a win—it was a symbol of growth and potential.

Historic First: The 1939 Cotton Bowl was Ole Miss’s first-ever postseason appearance, setting a precedent for future teams.
Program Momentum: The win helped boost recruiting and fan support, contributing to stronger seasons in the 1940s and 1950s.
Regional Rivalry: Competing in the SEC placed Ole Miss among the South’s elite programs, increasing the stakes of conference matchups.
Bowl Legacy: The victory established a tradition of bowl participation, with Ole Miss eventually appearing in over 30 bowl games.
Coaching Transition: Ed Walker stepped down after the season, leading to the hiring of a new coach who would shape the next era.
Cultural Impact: The game drew national attention to Mississippi and helped unify fans across the state behind their team.

Today, the 1939 season is remembered as the beginning of Ole Miss’s journey toward national prominence in college football. While later teams would achieve higher rankings and more victories, this season laid the groundwork for future success.