Pete Golding Takes the Helm at Ole Miss: What the Rebels Are Getting in Their New Head Coach
Ole Miss didn’t have to look far to find its next head football coach. In the wake of Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU, the Rebels are turning the keys over to a familiar face: Pete Golding.
After three seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator, Golding has officially been promoted to head coach - and this time, it’s not an interim tag. It’s his show now.
This is Golding’s first head coaching gig, but make no mistake - the 41-year-old has been preparing for this moment for a long time. Let’s break down what this means for Ole Miss, what Golding brings to the table, and why this move feels like a calculated continuation rather than a total reset.
A Proven Defensive Mind
Golding’s résumé is built on defense - and not just any defense. He’s been the architect behind some of the most aggressive and disruptive units in college football over the past several years. Since arriving in Oxford in 2023, he’s helped transform the Rebels’ defense into one of the most productive in the nation.
In his first season, Ole Miss led the SEC and ranked fifth nationally in turnover margin. That’s not just about forcing fumbles or jumping routes - that’s about instilling a mindset. His defenses have consistently finished near the top nationally in sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions, and scoring defense.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Rebels’ defensive front was downright dominant. Ole Miss set school records with 52 sacks and 120 tackles for loss - both tops in the country.
And they didn’t just get after quarterbacks; they shut down the run, too. The Rebels allowed just 80.5 rushing yards per game, second-best in the FBS.
Even this season, with the team sitting at 11-1 and awaiting their College Football Playoff fate, the defense has remained a strength. They’re seventh in the SEC in scoring defense, giving up just over 20 points per game, and their pass defense has been rock solid, allowing only 182.6 yards through the air per contest.
From the Saban Tree to Oxford’s Sidelines
Golding’s path to the Ole Miss head job has been shaped by some of the biggest names in the sport. Before joining the Rebels, he spent five seasons at Alabama under Nick Saban - first as co-defensive coordinator in 2018, then taking full control of the defense in 2019. During his time in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide won a national championship (2020) and three SEC titles, with Golding playing a major role in building those elite defenses.
Before Alabama, he was the defensive coordinator at UTSA, and his coaching stops also include Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana, Tusculum, and Delta State - where he played safety from 2002 to 2005. He’s climbed the ladder the hard way, and every step has added to his defensive acumen.
From Coordinator to CEO
While Golding’s credentials as a defensive coordinator are well established, this will be his first opportunity to run an entire program. That’s a big leap - from scheming on third downs to managing a roster, hiring staff, handling media, and being the face of a major SEC program.
But he’s not coming in blind. He’s been around championship-level programs, learned under the most successful coach in modern college football history, and now inherits a team that’s already in the national spotlight. The transition from Kiffin to Golding offers continuity at a time when the Rebels are knocking on the door of the College Football Playoff.
Talent Development and the NFL Pipeline
Another feather in Golding’s cap? Player development. Over the past two NFL Drafts, eight Ole Miss defensive players have heard their names called - a testament to both recruiting and coaching.
Among the standouts:
- Walter Nolen, a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2025
- Trey Amos, taken in the second round by Washington
- Princely Umanmielen, a third-round selection by the Panthers
- Cedric Johnson, Daijahn Anthony, **Chris Paul Jr. **, JJ Pegues, and Deantre Prince also found NFL homes in 2024 and 2025
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed - by recruits or by NFL scouts. Golding has shown he can not only identify talent but develop it into something pro-ready.
Looking Ahead
Golding’s promotion hasn’t come with an official contract announcement yet, but it’s safe to assume a new deal is on the way. He was already one of the highest-paid coordinators in the country, earning $2.55 million in 2025, with raises scheduled through 2027. Now, with the head coach title, the stakes - and the paycheck - will rise.
At 41, Golding steps into one of the most high-profile positions in college football. He’s got the résumé, the experience, and the trust of the program. And with Ole Miss sitting at 11-1 and in the College Football Playoff conversation, he’s taking over a team that’s not rebuilding - it’s reloading.
This isn’t a program starting over. It’s one doubling down on what’s been working. And now, it’s Pete Golding’s turn to lead the charge.