Who is Pete Golding? New Ole Miss football coach replacing Lane Kiffin

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(This story was updated to add new information.)

Ole Miss football is staying in-house for its next football coach after Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU.

The Rebels promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to be the next coach on Nov. 30. He’s the permanent coach, not an interim.

Golding has been the Ole Miss defensive coordinator for three seasons as the No. 5 Rebels (11-1) wait to hear where they’re seeded in the College Football Playoff.

Here’s what to know about Golding.

Pete Golding coaching history

Golding was hired by Kiffin in 2023 and has lots of experience as a defensive coordinator.

Before Ole Miss, he was hired as Alabama’s co-defensive coordinator in 2018 under Nick Saban, and then promoted to the lone defensive coordinator in 2019. He was in that position until leaving for Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide won the national title in 2020 and three SEC titles while Golding was on the staff.

Golding was UTSA’s defensive coordinator for two seasons before Alabama.

Golding has also coached at Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana, Tusculum and Delta State, also where he played safety from 2002-05.

Pete Golding hasn’t been a head coach

Although Golding has lots of experience coaching defense, this will be his first time as a head coach.

However, he comes from the Saban coaching tree. Kiffin also coached for Saban, but prior to Golding being on the staff.

Pete Golding’s defense at Ole Miss

Ole Miss has had a prolific defense in Golding’s three seasons. The Rebels have allowed just 18.5 points per game with Golding as the defensive coordinator.

In 2023, the Rebels led the SEC and were fifth nationally in turnover margin. They ranked in the top 35 nationally in sacks, tackles for loss, passes intercepted and scoring defense.

Ole Miss had a phenomenal defensive front in 2024 that led the country with 52 sacks and 120 tackles for loss. They were both program records. Ole Miss’ 80.5 rushing yards allowed per game was second in the FBS.

This season, Ole Miss is seventh in the SEC with 20.1 points allowed per game. The pass defense has been a strength with 182.6 yards allowed per game.

Pete Golding DUI

Golding was arrested on a DUI charge in February 2022 while working at Alabama. It was at 1 a.m. the morning after National Signing Day.

“I am deeply sorry for the actions that led to my arrest last night,” Golding said in a statement following the arrest. “I sincerely apologize to my family, everyone in our organization, including our players, Coach (Nick) Saban, the staff, The University of Alabama, and our fans. Regardless of the outcome of this pending investigation, I did not uphold the values I have for myself and the values of the Alabama football program. I am committed to learning and growing from this mistake and I will work to earn back the trust of those who I have disappointed.”

Pete Golding contract

Golding will presumably get a new contract with his promotion, but that hasn’t been announced yet.

He was paid $2.55 million in 2025. That was set to increase to $2.6 million in 2026 and $2.7 million in 2027.

Pete Golding’s Ole Miss NFL Draft picks

Ole Miss has had eight defensive players selected in the last two NFL Drafts:

CB Deante Prince (Round 5 in 2024 by the Jacksonville Jaguars)
DE Cedric Johnson (Round 6 in 2024 by the Cincinnati Bengals)
S Daijahn Anthony (Round 7 in 2024 by the Cincinnati Bengals)
DT Walter Nolen (Round 1 in 2025 by the Arizona Cardinals)
CB Trey Amos (Round 2 in 2025 by the Washington Commanders)
DE Princely Umanmielen (Round 3 in 2025 by the Carolina Panthers)
LB Chris Paul Jr. (Round 5 in 2025 by the Los Angeles Rams)
DT JJ Pegues (Round 6 in 2025 by the Las Vegas Raiders)

Pete Golding age

Golding is 41 years old.

Pete Golding social media

You can follow Pete Golding on X @CoachGolding. He frequently posts a shark emoji to indicate when Ole Miss has landed a recruit.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Pete Golding, Ole Miss football coach history, Lane Kiffin replacement

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