Pete Golding Gets a Hero’s Welcome at Ole Miss, Shifts Focus to Rebels’ Historic Playoff Push
OXFORD - The Lane Kiffin era at Ole Miss may have officially closed, but judging by the roar inside the Pavilion on Saturday night, Rebel fans are more than ready to rally behind their new head coach, Pete Golding.
Golding made his first public appearance since taking over the reins of the Ole Miss football program, stepping into the spotlight during a media timeout at the Rebels’ basketball game against Miami. And let’s just say - the entrance was straight out of a WWE playbook. Golding emerged from the tunnel to a thunderous ovation, his name flashing across the video board as fans welcomed him with the kind of energy reserved for rock stars and returning legends.
But Golding didn’t make the moment about himself. Standing at center court with roughly 30 football players behind him, he quickly redirected the applause to the team that’s put Oxford on the national map this season.
“I appreciate it,” Golding said, motioning to the players behind him, “but for real, it’s about these guys right here. I want the applause for the 11-1 Ole Miss Rebels.”
That’s the tone Golding is already setting - one that keeps the spotlight on the players and the program, not the individual. And right now, that spotlight is burning bright.
Ole Miss is sitting at No. 6 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, and for the first time in school history, the Rebels are on the doorstep of a CFP berth. It’s uncharted territory for the program, and Golding made it clear he’s ready to get to work.
He kept his remarks brief, speaking for about a minute before heading off the court. But the crowd wasn’t done making noise - a loud, not-so-friendly chant aimed at former head coach Lane Kiffin broke out shortly after Golding exited.
The message from the fan base? They’ve moved on, and they’re all in on what’s next.
Golding’s official introductory press conference is scheduled for Dec. 3, which also happens to be early signing day - a critical checkpoint in the recruiting calendar. And while he made an appearance at the basketball game, he wasn’t sticking around long.
“Obviously we’re getting to work,” Golding said. “We have signing day tomorrow, so I’m not going to be able to watch the game.
I told Coach Beard good luck earlier. We’re going back out to bang the phones a little bit.”
It’s a quick transition, but that’s the nature of the business this time of year. Golding’s already deep into recruiting mode, and with the Rebels on the cusp of a historic postseason run, there’s no time to waste.
The message from Pete Golding is clear: the future of Ole Miss football isn’t just exciting - it’s urgent. And he’s wasting no time getting started.