Who is Pete Golding's family? Ole Miss football coach's wife, children, parents

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NEW ORLEANS — Ole Miss football coach Pete Golding has been reluctant to take the spotlight as he leads the Rebels in the College Football Playoff.

No. 6 Ole Miss (12-1) is facing No. 3 Georgia (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 (7 p.m., ESPN). The game is a quarterfinal CFP game.

Golding was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach on Nov. 30, which was the same day former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin took the LSU job.

Although he had a high-profile job of Alabama’s defensive coordinator from 2018-22 and has been Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator since 2023, Golding is a first-time head coach.

Golding has voiced his goal about not letting his new title change his demeanor. Here’s what to know about the new head coach’s family.

Pete Golding’s wife Carolyn Golding went to Ole Miss

Carolyn Golding is an Ole Miss graduate.

Golding said that his wife’s roots in Oxford played a part in his decision to move from being the defensive coordinator at Alabama to the same role at Ole Miss in 2023.

She graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in accounting in 2007, got a master of tax degree in 2008 and a juris doctor from the School of Law in 2011. The Goldings donated $100,000 to the Patterson School Building Fund in 2024.

Carolyn is from Cleveland, Mississippi.

Pete Golding’s children are Braxton, Bentley and Bailey

Golding has two sons — Braxton and Bentley — and a daughter Bailey.

Golding said his children have asked him about the game day traditions Kiffin began at Ole Miss.

Bentley asked Golding if he could shoot off a fire extinguisher on the sideline during the CFP game against Tulane on Dec. 20.

Pete Golding’s dad Skip has called ‘Paul Finebaum Show’

Pete Golding’s parents, Skip and Tena, met at Delta State and are divorced.

Skip Golding was a football coach, including at Margaret Green Junior High School in Cleveland, as well as two stints at East Side High School. 

He called the “Paul Finebaum Show” in 2021 when his son was at Alabama and said it was hard to root for the Crimson Tide as a Miami Hurricanes fan.

He also called the show in 2022 and appeared to threaten a caller who criticized his son.

Pete Golding’s mom Tena retired from Southeastern Louisiana University

Tena Golding had a long, distinguished career in academics.

She retired from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond in 2025 after decades of service as provost and VP for Academic Affairs.

Contributing: Ross Reily

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 football coach Pete Golding’s family: Wife, children, parents

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