Pete Golding, Ole Miss football hire Patrick Toney out of NFL as defensive coordinator

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GLENDALE, AZ – As Ole Miss football prepares for a Fiesta Bowl matchup with Miami, coach Pete Golding is building out his staff for 2026.

Arizona Cardinals safeties coach Patrick Toney was hired as the Rebels’ defensive coordinator, the team announced Jan. 7.

The No. 6 Rebels (13-1) are in their first CFP run and will face No. 10 Miami (12-2) at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8 (6:30 p.m. CT). If they win, the Rebels will face Indiana or Oregon in Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game.

The Rebels had an opening at that spot after Golding, the Ole Miss defensive coordinator since 2023, was promoted to the head coaching role. That move was made on Nov. 30 after former coach Lane Kiffin left for LSU.

Toney has been the Cardinals safeties coach since 2023.

Toney also has SEC experience with the Florida Gators. He was the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach with Florida in 2022.

Golding and Toney have a history of working together. Golding was the defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana from 2012-13 when Toney was a defensive assistant.

Ole Miss has already hired its offensive coordinator for 2026 in John David Baker, who was hired Dec. 9. Outgoing offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr will still be available for the Fiesta Bowl.

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: Patrick Toney hired as Ole Miss football defensive coordinator

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