What Is 1980 Ole Miss Rebels football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1980 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–4 record under head coach Steve Sloan. They played in the Independence Bowl, defeating the Air Force Falcons 38–15 on December 13, 1980.

Key Facts

The 1980 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season with a 7–4 overall record.
Head coach Steve Sloan led the team in his fifth and final season.
Ole Miss defeated Air Force 38–15 in the Independence Bowl on December 13, 1980.
Quarterback Mike Stewart started most games and threw for 1,448 yards.
The Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

Overview

The 1980 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Steve Sloan in his fifth and final year at the helm.

Finishing with a 7–4 overall record and a 4–3 conference mark, the Rebels qualified for postseason play and earned a berth in the Independence Bowl. Their victory in that game marked a successful end to a season defined by balanced offensive production and improved defensive performance.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7–4 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in SEC play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head Coach: Steve Sloan served as head coach for the fifth consecutive season, stepping down after the bowl game to accept an administrative role at the university.
Bowl Game: The Rebels defeated the Air Force Falcons 38–15 in the Independence Bowl on December 13, 1980, in Shreveport, Louisiana, marking a decisive postseason win.
Quarterback: Mike Stewart started most games at quarterback, throwing for 1,448 yards and 10 touchdowns, providing steady leadership on offense.
Stadium: Home games were played at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, which had a capacity of approximately 48,000 during the 1980 season.

How It Works

The 1980 Ole Miss football season operated under standard NCAA Division I-A rules, with a focus on conference competition and bowl eligibility. The team’s structure, game scheduling, and player roles followed typical collegiate football frameworks of the era.

Season Structure:The 1980 season consisted of 11 regular-season games followed by a bowl appearance, with the schedule including six SEC opponents and five non-conference matchups.
Coaching Leadership:Steve Sloan was responsible for offensive strategy and team management, stepping down after the season to become athletic director at Ole Miss.
Offensive Scheme: The Rebels ran a pro-style offense emphasizing both the run and pass, with Mike Stewart throwing for 1,448 yards and Allen Brown rushing for 573 yards.
Defensive Strategy: The defense relied on a 4–3 alignment, holding opponents to an average of 20.5 points per game, a modest improvement from previous seasons.
Bowl Eligibility: With a 7–4 record, Ole Miss met the requirement for postseason play, earning an invitation to the Independence Bowl due to their strong finish.
Recruiting Impact: The successful season and bowl win helped boost recruiting, particularly in the South, where Ole Miss remained a competitive SEC program.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1980 Ole Miss Rebels compared to other SEC teams and their own recent history:

Team	Overall Record	SEC Record	Bowl Result	Head Coach
Ole Miss (1980)	7–4	4–3	W, 38–15 vs. Air Force (Independence Bowl)	Steve Sloan
Alabama (1980)	10–2	6–1	W, 31–24 vs. Oklahoma (Sugar Bowl)	Paul W. 'Bear' Bryant
Tennessee (1980)	8–4	4–2	L, 10–31 vs. Pittsburgh (Gator Bowl)	Johnny Majors
LSU (1980)	4–7	2–5	No bowl	Billy Cannon
Ole Miss (1979)	5–6	3–4	No bowl	Steve Sloan

The 1980 season represented a clear improvement over the previous year’s 5–6 record. While not as dominant as powerhouses like Alabama, Ole Miss outperformed struggling programs such as LSU and secured one of only five SEC bowl victories that year, highlighting their competitive standing.

Why It Matters

The 1980 season was a transitional yet significant chapter in Ole Miss football history, bridging the end of the Sloan era and setting the stage for future developments under new leadership. It demonstrated the program’s ability to remain competitive in the SEC and achieve postseason success despite coaching changes.

Bowl Victory Significance:The 38–15 win over Air Force was Ole Miss’s first bowl victory since 1970, ending a decade-long drought and restoring pride in the program.
Coaching Transition: Steve Sloan’s departure marked the end of an era, paving the way for Johnny Vaught’s return as athletic director and influence over future hires.
Player Development: Quarterback Mike Stewart’s performance laid groundwork for future signal-callers, showing the value of experienced leadership under center.
Recruiting Momentum: The bowl win helped maintain regional recruiting strength, particularly in Mississippi and surrounding states, crucial for SEC competitiveness.
Stadium Legacy: Vaught–Hemingway Stadium continued to serve as a key home-field advantage, with attendance averaging over 45,000 per game in 1980.
Historical Context: The season is remembered as a modest success in a transitional period, reflecting the challenges and resilience of mid-tier SEC programs in the early 1980s.

Ultimately, the 1980 Ole Miss Rebels season stands as a testament to perseverance and incremental progress, contributing to the long-term narrative of one of college football’s historic programs.