Ole Miss isn’t wasting any time turning the page after Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU. The Rebels have officially promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach - and this isn’t an interim tag situation. According to reports, the move is permanent, and Golding will now guide the program into one of the most important stretches in its history: its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
At 41 years old, Golding is stepping into the spotlight at a pivotal moment for the Rebels. He’s not just a familiar face inside the building - he’s been a central figure in shaping the team’s identity over the past three seasons.
Since arriving in Oxford in 2023, Golding has worn two hats: defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. And under his watch, the Rebels’ defense has grown more disciplined, more aggressive, and, most importantly, more effective - a key factor in their historic 11-win campaign this season.
Golding’s coaching résumé is both deep and diverse. A Louisiana native and former safety at Delta State, he’s taken the long road through the college football ranks.
Stops at Delta, Tusculum, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss, and UTSA helped him build a strong foundation before he landed one of the most high-profile defensive jobs in the country at Alabama. From 2019 to 2022, Golding ran the Crimson Tide defense and coached inside linebackers, helping lead Alabama to a national title in 2020.
That kind of championship pedigree doesn’t just look good on paper - it brings credibility to a locker room with big goals and even bigger expectations.
Now, Golding takes over a program that’s not just knocking on the door of national relevance - it’s already inside. The Rebels are playoff-bound for the first time in school history, and they’re doing it with a defense that’s taken major strides under Golding’s leadership. His familiarity with the roster, his SEC experience, and his proven ability to recruit and develop talent make this a move that feels both steady and ambitious.
This isn’t about rebooting the program - it’s about building on momentum. The Rebels just wrapped up their first 11-win season ever, and now they’re heading into uncharted territory with a coach who knows the terrain. Golding’s promotion signals continuity, confidence, and a belief that the next chapter of Ole Miss football doesn’t need to start from scratch - it just needs the right leader to keep it moving forward.
And now, that leader is Pete Golding.