Pete Golding Era Begins with Statement Win as Ole Miss Handles Tulane
Ole Miss fans have been through the wringer lately. After weeks of uncertainty and emotional whiplash, the Rebels officially turned the page on the Lane Kiffin era. Kiffin, who led the program to national relevance, made headlines by jumping ship to SEC rival LSU, leaving Oxford scrambling for stability at the worst possible time - just ahead of the College Football Playoff.
Rather than let Kiffin coach the postseason with one foot out the door, Ole Miss made a bold move: promote defensive coordinator Pete Golding to interim head coach. And in his first game at the helm, Golding delivered a clear message - this team isn’t going anywhere.
Facing a scrappy Tulane squad led by rising star Jon Sumrall - who’s already locked in as Florida’s next head coach - Golding’s Rebels looked composed, aggressive, and opportunistic in a 41-10 win that felt like more than just a scoreline. It felt like a statement.
Comparing Golding’s Debut to Kiffin’s September Showing
This wasn’t the first time Ole Miss squared off with Tulane this season. Back in September, Kiffin’s Rebels handled the Green Wave with a 45-10 win, a performance that showcased the team’s firepower and balance on both sides of the ball.
Fast forward three months, and Golding’s version of the Rebels posted a near-identical result. While the final margin was slightly smaller, the overall performance was just as commanding. Let’s break down the numbers:
| Category | Under Golding | Under Kiffin |
|---|
| Final Score | 41-10 | 45-10 | | Total Yards | 497 | 548 |
| Passing Yards | 346 | 307 | | Rushing Yards | 151 | 241 |
| Yards Allowed | 421 | 382 | | Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Turnovers Forced | 3 | 1 | | Penalties | 1-5 | 3-35 |
| Time of Possession | 28:30 | 27:31 |
On paper, both games were dominant. But Golding’s defense made its presence felt in a different way.
Tulane actually moved the ball fairly well early, racking up over 200 yards of offense in the first half - not far off from Ole Miss’ own production. But when it mattered most, the Rebels tightened the screws.
Golding’s defense forced three turnovers on the night - a significant jump from the single takeaway in the earlier matchup. That bend-but-don’t-break mentality is exactly what you want in postseason football. And it’s exactly what Ole Miss delivered.
Offensive Identity Remains Intact
One of the biggest questions heading into the game was whether Ole Miss would look - or feel - different without Kiffin calling the shots. The answer? Not much, and that’s a good thing.
Charlie Weis Jr., the team’s offensive coordinator, remained in his role and stuck to a familiar game plan. If anything, the Rebels leaned slightly more into the passing game this time around. Quarterbacks Trinidad Chambliss and Austin Simmons combined for 34 pass attempts - up from 27 in the September meeting - and racked up 346 yards through the air.
Chambliss, in particular, was effective both as a passer and a runner. He logged six carries for 36 yards and two touchdowns, showing off the dual-threat ability that has become a staple of the Ole Miss offense.
The ground game was more by committee this time, with Kewan Lacy and Logan Diggs each punching in touchdowns. As a unit, the Rebels ran 34 times for 151 yards - a solid 4.4 yards per carry.
Compare that to September, when Ole Miss leaned more heavily on the run, totaling 241 yards on 42 carries and averaging nearly six yards per attempt. Chambliss was the workhorse in that one, rushing for 112 yards on 14 carries.
So while the balance shifted slightly toward the air in Golding’s debut, the offensive DNA remained intact: tempo, versatility, and the ability to strike from anywhere on the field.
| Offensive Breakdown | Under Golding | Under Kiffin |
|---|
| Pass Attempts | 34 | 27 | | Carries | 34 | 42 |
Who Is Pete Golding?
If Golding’s name sounds familiar, it should. Before joining Ole Miss in 2023, he was the defensive coordinator at Alabama, where he helped the Crimson Tide win the 2020 national championship and develop NFL talent like Patrick Surtain II, Will Anderson Jr., Brian Branch, and Terrion Arnold.
Golding’s coaching resume also includes stops at Delta State (his alma mater), Tusculum, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss, and UTSA - mostly in defensive roles. That background helps explain how he’s managed to turn Ole Miss into one of the SEC’s most improved defenses over the past few seasons.
Now, at 41 years old, Golding becomes the youngest head coach in the SEC. He’s just over a month younger than Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby and more than eight years younger than the man he replaced in Oxford.
What’s Next?
Golding’s debut was more than just a successful outing - it was a sign that the program has a clear identity and a steady hand guiding it forward. The Rebels didn’t just win; they played with purpose, poise, and a whole lot of grit.
There’s still plenty of work ahead. But if Saturday night was any indication, Ole Miss isn’t looking back. And with Pete Golding now in charge, the Rebels might just be getting started.