Ole Miss QB Granted 6th Year of Eligibility After Sleep Apnea Ruling

Assistant coach Joe Judge's controversial comments about players' family responsibilities during the season draw scrutiny.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Ole Miss star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a sixth year of NCAA eligibility after a Mississippi state court ruled that he met the criteria for a medical redshirt due to respiratory issues caused by sleep apnea that sidelined him for the 2022 season. During the hearing, assistant coach Joe Judge testified on Chambliss's behalf, making controversial comments about the need to educate players' pregnant partners on the father's responsibilities during the season, which drew significant backlash on social media.

Why it matters

The case highlights the complex issues college athletes can face balancing their personal lives with the demands of their sport, as well as the role coaches play in advocating for their players. Judge's comments also sparked a broader discussion about work-life balance expectations in high-pressure athletic environments.

The details

At the heart of Chambliss's case was a lost 2022 season at Ferris State due to respiratory issues caused by sleep apnea. During the hearing, Ole Miss assistant coach Joe Judge testified on Chambliss's behalf, attempting to argue that a denial of an extra year of college football would cause irreparable harm to the quarterback's draft prospects. When asked about the importance of sleep to a college football player, Judge gave a controversial example about 'pregnant significant others,' saying the father 'needs to be in the other room, detached' and 'ain't waking up for midnight feedings' during the season.

  • On February 9, 2026, a Mississippi state court granted Trinidad Chambliss a sixth year of NCAA eligibility.
  • The hearing where Judge made his controversial comments took place on February 14, 2026.

The players

Trinidad Chambliss

The Ole Miss star quarterback who was granted a sixth year of NCAA eligibility after missing the 2022 season due to respiratory issues caused by sleep apnea.

Joe Judge

The Ole Miss assistant coach who testified on Chambliss's behalf during the eligibility hearing, making controversial comments about players' responsibilities to their pregnant partners during the season.

Robert Whitwell

The Mississippi state court judge who ruled that Chambliss met the criteria for a medical redshirt and granted him an extra year of eligibility.

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What they’re saying

“Some of my comments from Thursday have been taken out of context, so I'd like to provide some clarity. In a discussion about Trinidad's sleep apnea, I was trying to point out the importance the NFL places on sleep for recovery and performance in addition to the education of balancing family dynamics during the football season. These are discussions I was a part of at the professional level from veteran players based on their own experience managing similar situations. These are not discussions we've had at the collegiate level. As a husband and father of four children, I understand those challenges first hand and would never diminish the commitment to family. We share that same dedication to family with our players and always support them through any challenges they face in their personal lives.”

— Joe Judge, Ole Miss Assistant Coach (X)

What’s next

The judge's ruling allows Chambliss to return to the field for Ole Miss in 2026, where the Rebels will look to become one of the top teams in the SEC under new head coach Pete Golding.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex personal challenges college athletes can face, as well as the need for coaches to balance supporting players' professional development with sensitivity towards their family responsibilities. Judge's comments sparked a broader discussion about work-life balance expectations in high-pressure athletic environments.