What Pete Golding won't change as Ole Miss football coach: 'I'm not going to yoga'
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OXFORD — New Ole Miss football coach Pete Golding got a new title on Nov. 30 after Lane Kiffin went to LSU. The former Ole Miss defensive coordinator insists that’s the only that about him that has changed.
“I’m not changing what I wear,” Golding said on a Zoom media call Dec. 7. “I’m not going to yoga.”
It’s a clear distinction. Golding is Kiffin’s replacement, but he’s not trying to replace Kiffin’s personality.
Kiffin was a hot yoga enthusiast with a heavy online presence. Golding hasn’t even adjusted to the social media app Kiffin made headlines at Ole Miss with changing its name to X.
“I’m not a Twitter guy,” Golding said. “I won’t be a Twitter guy. I got my new contract. They can fire me at any point and my ass will be at the beach. I am who I am.”
Golding got the promotion to coach at Ole Miss (11-1) during the most important phase of what could be the best season in school history. The Rebels will face No. 11 Tulane (11-2) in Oxford on Dec. 20 (2:30 p.m. CT, TNT) in the first College Football Playoff game in Ole Miss history.
Although Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter entrusted Golding with the permanent role, Golding said he still treating his job role like a temporary assignment. Any changes he wants to make will have to wait for the 2026 season.
“I told (players) I view myself as an interim head coach right now,” Golding said. “We’re not going to reinvent the wheel. This thing was headed the right direction. Right now I look at it like the COVID year.”
He offered his players an opportunity to make a big deal out of the CFP selection show on Dec. 7, but the team agreed it would rather get straight to work and ensure Ole Miss is celebrating at the end of the game against the Green Wave. Passing on celebratory moments has been necessary lately. Golding said there wasn’t time for a big celebration when he got the job.
“The immediate reaction was I got my ass out of my seat and went straight out the door to try to recruit the offensive staff not to get on the airplane,” Golding said. “I couldn’t tell you the years (on the contract), the money. I still can’t.”
Ole Miss beat Tulane 45-10 on Sept. 20. It was a one-sided game in which Golding’s defensive unit played one of its best games of the season.
Golding said his emphasis since taking the job Nov. 30 has been to restore normalcy inside the Manning Center and get everyone back in a routine. Everything he’s done has been with the first round of the CFP in mind.
“They are going to determine whether we’re going to win this game or not,” Golding said. “By their execution. Their preparation. It ain’t got nothing to do with what the head coach’s name is. I can assure you that.”
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss coach Pete Golding isn’t changing after Lane Kiffin era
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