The Grove is usually quiet on a Tuesday, but come Saturday, the air in Oxford feels different. It’s heavy with the smell of bourbon and charcoal. If you aren’t lucky enough to be standing in the sea of red and blue, you’re likely doing the next best thing: tuning in. Honestly, Ole Miss football radio isn't just a broadcast; it’s the literal heartbeat of the Rebel faithful who are stuck in traffic on Highway 6 or grilling in a backyard in Desoto County.
You’ve probably been there. That moment the signal cuts out just as Jaxson Dart drops back for a deep shot. It’s frustrating. But finding the right frequency shouldn't be a chore. Whether you are looking for the flagship station or trying to stream the call from a phone halfway across the country, the Rebel Hockey Network—er, the Ole Miss Radio Network—has a massive reach that covers basically every corner of the state and a good chunk of the Southeast.
Where to Find the Ole Miss Football Radio Network
The setup is pretty straightforward, though it can feel like a maze if you're out of state. Locally in Oxford, WQLJ 93.7 FM serves as the primary home, but the network is a massive web of affiliates. We are talking about nearly 40 stations. If you’re driving through the Delta, you’re looking for different numbers than if you’re down on the Coast.
Most people don't realize how much work goes into the "Voice of the Rebels" seat. Since 2003, David Kellum has been the man behind the mic. He isn’t just a guy describing a slant route; he’s the narrator of the program’s modern history. He took over for the legendary Jerry Robertson, and he’s earned his stripes with that iconic, gravelly excitement that mirrors the heart rate of every fan in the stadium. Alongside him, you usually hear Harry Harrison providing color. They’ve got a chemistry that feels like two old friends arguing—politely—over a cold drink.
Digital options have changed the game. You aren't tethered to a physical transistor radio anymore. The Ole Miss Athletics app is the most direct way to get the signal without any static. It’s free. It’s reliable. Mostly. Sometimes there’s a delay that makes it hard to sync with the TV, which is the "Holy Grail" of southern sports viewing: muting the national TV announcers to listen to your home-town guys.
The Challenge of Syncing Radio with Television
This is the number one complaint. You want the passion of Kellum, but you want the 4K picture on your big screen. Usually, the radio is about 5 to 10 seconds ahead of the TV broadcast. It’s a spoiler alert you didn’t ask for. You hear "Touchdown, Ole Miss!" while the ball is still being snapped on your television.
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To fix this, some fans use "Radio Delay" apps or hardware. It’s a niche hobby. You essentially run the audio through a buffer to match the visual. Is it worth the effort? If you can’t stand another three hours of a national announcer mispronouncing "Lafayette," then yes, absolutely.
Beyond the Game: The Coaches' Show and Weekday Coverage
It isn't just about the three hours on Saturday. The Ole Miss football radio ecosystem includes "Rebels Live," the weekly show featuring Lane Kiffin. Usually broadcast from a local spot like Bouré or another Oxford staple, it’s where you get the actual pulse of the team. Kiffin is... well, he’s Kiffin. He might talk about the transfer portal, or he might talk about his dog, Juice.
The pregame show usually starts three hours before kickoff. That’s a lot of airtime to fill. They dive into the "Keys to the Game," but let’s be real: most of us are listening for the injury updates and the weather reports. The network also utilizes a sideline reporter—traditionally someone like Richard Cross—who gives you the "boots on the ground" perspective. When a player goes into the medical tent, the radio guys are almost always faster than the TV crew to report what's actually happening.
Why Terrestrial Radio Still Wins in Mississippi
We live in a world of 5G and satellite everything. So why does the AM/FM affiliate list stay so long? Because Mississippi is rural.
If you are hunting in a blind in the middle of nowhere or driving a tractor in Sunflower County, your Spotify isn't going to help you. The signal from a high-powered AM tower travels forever. Ole Miss football radio relies on these legacy stations because they reach the people who can't get a bars-of-service signal. It’s a bit nostalgic, sure, but it’s also purely functional.
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- Oxford/Water Valley: 93.7 FM (WQLJ)
- Jackson: 97.3 FM (WJDX)
- Memphis: 102.9 FM (WMPS)
- Gulfport/Biloxi: 103.1 FM (WOSM)
These frequencies are burned into the brains of fans. It’s a ritual. You get in the truck, you scan until you hear that familiar Southern drawl, and you settle in.
The Technical Evolution of the Broadcast
The equipment has come a long way from the days of bulky wires and precarious phone lines. Today, it’s all digital IP codecs. The sound quality is crisp—almost too crisp. You can hear the crowd noise, the band playing "Forward Rebels," and even the occasional frustrated shout from the sidelines.
A common misconception is that the radio guys are just sitting in the press box watching the same screen you are. They aren't. They have "spotters" who use high-powered binoculars to identify jersey numbers in a pile of bodies. It’s a chaotic dance. If a backup linebacker makes a tackle on a kickoff, the spotter points, Kellum reacts, and the listener hears it instantly. It’s a level of coordination that most people take for granted until they hear a bad broadcast elsewhere.
Satellite Options and the SiriusXM Factor
If you’re traveling outside the Magnolia State, SiriusXM is your best bet. Ole Miss games are always there, usually on the dedicated SEC channels (SXM 190-192). The downside? Sometimes you get the "away" feed. There is nothing worse than listening to an opponent’s radio crew describe your team getting beat. You want your own guys. You want the bias. That’s the whole point of home-team radio.
Actionable Steps for the Best Listening Experience
To truly master the Saturday afternoon experience, don't just wing it. Follow these steps to ensure you aren't stuck with static when the game is on the line.
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1. Download the Right Apps Early
Don't wait until 15 minutes before kickoff to download the Ole Miss Athletics app or the TuneIn Radio app. The servers can get hammered right as the game starts. Get them installed and tested on a Friday.
2. Bookmark the Affiliate List
If you are planning a road trip, print out or screenshot the affiliate list. Know that when you leave the range of the Memphis station, you need to know which Jackson or Delta station is picking up the slack.
3. Invest in a Portable Radio for the Grove
Cell towers in Oxford get notoriously overloaded on game days. Thousands of people trying to stream video or audio at once means your data will crawl. An old-school battery-powered FM radio is the only way to get a real-time signal without the "spinning wheel of death" on your screen.
4. Check the SiriusXM Schedule
If you use satellite radio, check the specific channel assignment on the Friday before. The SEC channels rotate, and you don't want to be scrolling through 200 stations while driving.
The tradition of Ole Miss football radio is about more than just scores. it's about a shared language. It’s the "Hotty Toddy" that closes out the broadcast and the way the voices rise and fall with the momentum of the game. Even in 2026, with all the technology at our fingertips, there is something irreplaceable about a human voice telling you the story of the game as it happens.
If you're looking for the most current schedule or specific affiliate changes for the 2026 season, your best bet is checking the official OleMissSports.com site directly, as station contracts can shift during the offseason. Keep your batteries fresh and your signal clear.