What Is 1947 Ole Miss Rebels football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1947 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1947 college football season, finishing with a 6-4 record under head coach Johnny Vaught, marking his first year leading the program.

Key Facts

The 1947 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season with a 6-4 overall record
Head coach Johnny Vaught began his tenure in 1947, starting a legendary era
The team played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Ole Miss won 4 of their 6 regular-season games at home
Their season included a 13-7 victory over in-state rival Mississippi State

Overview

The 1947 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the NCAA college football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team marked the beginning of a new era under first-year head coach Johnny Vaught, who would go on to become one of the most successful coaches in program history.

The Rebels played their home games at Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, and faced a challenging schedule that included several conference opponents. Though not ranked nationally, the team showed promise in building toward future success, particularly with a strong defensive performance throughout the season.

Record: The team finished with a 6-4 overall record, including a 3-3 mark in SEC play, showing competitive balance against conference rivals.
First season of Johnny Vaught: Vaught took over as head coach in 1947, launching a 25-year tenure that would include six Southeastern Conference titles.
Home performance: Ole Miss won 4 of 5 home games, demonstrating strong support and advantage on their home field in Oxford.
Key victory: A 13-7 win over Mississippi State stood out as a highlight, securing the in-state rivalry bragging rights for the year.
Defensive strength: The Rebels allowed an average of 13.3 points per game, showcasing a disciplined and improving defensive unit.

How It Works

The 1947 season laid the foundation for Ole Miss football’s rise in national prominence, driven by strategic coaching, player development, and conference competition structure. Understanding key elements of that season helps contextualize its historical significance.

Head Coach:Johnny Vaught was hired in 1947 and immediately began implementing a disciplined, defense-first philosophy that reshaped the program.
Offensive Scheme: The Rebels ran a single-wing formation, common in that era, emphasizing power running and ball control over passing.
SEC Competition: As members of the Southeastern Conference, Ole Miss faced teams like Tennessee, LSU, and Kentucky in rigorous weekly matchups.
Roster Composition: The team relied on a mix of returning players and new recruits, many of whom were World War II veterans returning to college football.
Game Schedule: The Rebels played a 10-game season, including six conference games and four non-conference matchups against regional opponents.
Scoring Average: Ole Miss scored 18.1 points per game, reflecting a modest but effective offensive output for the time period.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1947 Ole Miss Rebels' performance can be better understood by comparing it to both the previous season and future campaigns under Vaught’s leadership.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Key Outcome
1946	3-6-1	2-4-1	Harry Mehre	Pre-Vaught rebuilding year
1947	6-4	3-3	Johnny Vaught	First year of Vaught; 3-game improvement
1948	6-2-2	4-1-2	Johnny Vaught	SEC co-champions; ranked No. 10
1952	10-1	6-0-1	Johnny Vaught	SEC champions; finished No. 3
1962	10-0-1	6-0-1	Johnny Vaught	National champions (unofficial)

The table illustrates how the 1947 season served as a turning point. After a losing record in 1946, Vaught improved the team by three wins, setting the stage for SEC contention by 1948 and national prominence in the 1950s and 1960s.

Why It Matters

The 1947 Ole Miss Rebels season is historically significant as the launchpad for one of college football’s most enduring coaching legacies and a revitalized program. Its impact extends beyond the win-loss record.

Foundation for success: The 1947 season marked the start of Johnny Vaught’s 25-year tenure, which included six SEC titles and two national championships.
Program transformation: Vaught instilled a culture of discipline and preparation, turning Ole Miss from a struggling team into a national contender within a decade.
Post-war era shift: The inclusion of WWII veterans on the roster reflected broader national trends and brought maturity and experience to the team.
Recruiting evolution: The 1947 season helped establish Ole Miss as a desirable destination for Southern talent, improving future recruiting classes.
Stadium legacy: Hemingway Stadium, where the Rebels played, became a fortress for home games, contributing to growing fan engagement.
Historical benchmark: The 6-4 record in 1947 is viewed as the beginning of a golden era, making it a key reference point in Ole Miss football history.

Ultimately, the 1947 season was more than just a modest improvement—it was the first step in building a football tradition that would define the University of Mississippi for decades.