Former Southern Miss safeties coach and longtime SEC defensive coordinator Pete Golding has been named the 40th head football coach at Ole Miss, the school announced Monday. Golding, who previously coached in Hattiesburg from 2014–15, replaces Lane Kiffin and will lead the Rebels into the College Football Playoff.
Golding takes over one of the Southeastern Conference’s top programs of the 2020s after a decorated career as a defensive architect across the SEC over the last decade. Since arriving in Oxford in 2023, the former Golden Eagle assistant has engineered several dominant Ole Miss defenses, including a school-record pass rush in 2024, while mentoring eight NFL Draft picks during his tenure with the Rebels.
Golding, who owns nearly two decades of defensive coaching experience, made his mark in the SEC as a key member of Nick Saban’s Alabama staff, serving as the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator from 2018–22. During that span, Alabama captured three SEC championships (2018, 2020, 2021) and the 2020 national title.
Statement from Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter:
“Coach Kiffin and I met yesterday, and he informed us that he is accepting the head coaching position at another school. For our program to begin preparing for its future – both the short and long term – he will be stepping away from the team immediately.
“With this development, we could not be more excited to announce Pete Golding as the next head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. His tenure will begin immediately as he leads our program in the pursuit of a national title. Today’s team meeting was a clear indicator of his ability to galvanize our squad. All of our players and coaches are ecstatic and ready to lock arms for a playoff run.
“From the moment he arrived in Oxford, we quickly realized Pete is a coach who could not only lead a program but elevate it to championship status. He has demonstrated an exceptional football mind, but more than that, he has shown a deep understanding of our culture, values and what it means to be part of the Ole Miss family. Simply put, Pete is one of us.
“Pete’s leadership, relentless energy and proven track record of building top defenses have made a tremendous impact on our program. In addition, he recruits at an elite level and has shown an unwavering commitment to developing young men once they arrive on campus. He brings a vision rooted in toughness, innovation and accountability, and he is fully prepared to guide this program into its next era of success.
“I want to thank our student-athletes, our staff and Rebel Nation for their patience and support during this process. The future of Ole Miss Football is brighter than ever, and we look forward to taking the next steps in our program’s journey with Pete Golding at the helm.”
Statement from Golding:
“I would like to thank Keith Carter, Chancellor Boyce and the entire Ole Miss leadership team for placing their trust in me. Oxford is home, and it’s an incredible honor to lead one of the nation’s premier programs, and I can’t wait to get to work immediately and prepare this team to win a national championship.
“Ole Miss Football is special. Since the day I arrived, I’ve felt the passion, pride and unwavering support of Rebel Nation. This is a place where expectations are high, and football is woven into the fabric of the community. Our mission moving forward is clear: we will play with toughness, discipline and relentless effort in everything we do. We will recruit at the highest level, develop our players on and off the field, and compete every single day to bring championships to Oxford. Most importantly, we will represent this university with class and integrity.
“To the Ole Miss family, thank you for your support and belief. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I can’t wait to attack this challenge together.”
Golding at Ole Miss (2023–Present)
Since taking over as Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator in 2023, the former Southern Miss assistant has transformed the Rebels into one of the SEC’s more consistent defensive units. Golding’s defenses have limited opponents to 18.5 points and 330.8 yards per game (210.4 passing, 120.4 rushing), while totaling nearly three sacks and seven tackles for loss per game, along with 31 interceptions, 27 forced fumbles and 19 fumble recoveries.
This season, Golding guided Ole Miss to one of the SEC’s top pass defenses, allowing just 182.6 yards per game (SEC No. 3, FBS No. 20), while ranking inside the FBS top-25 in both fourth-down defense (ninth, .360) and scoring defense (25th, 20.1 ppg).
Golding inherited one of the best defensive rosters in school history and continued to produce through both the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Junior linebackers TJ Dottery and Suntarine Perkins lead the team with a combined 124 tackles and 11.0 tackles for loss, while sophomore linemen Kam Franklin and Will Echoles, along with transfer Princely Umanmielen, have anchored the pass rush.
In 2024, Golding assembled one of the most dominant defenses in Ole Miss history. The Rebels led the nation in sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120), both school records, while allowing just 80.5 rushing yards per game, second nationally and the fewest by a Rebel defense since 1966.
Nine of 13 opponents were held under 100 rushing yards, with six under 50 yards. Only two teams topped 400 total yards against Ole Miss all season.
First-team All-Americans Walter Nolen and Chris Paul Jr. headlined a record eight NFL Draft picks, including Nolen’s first-round selection by Arizona.
In 2023, Golding’s Landshark defense helped lift Ole Miss to the program’s first 11-win season. The Rebels led the SEC in turnover margin (+11) and produced top-35 national rankings in sacks, TFLs, interceptions and scoring defense.
Golding’s Coaching Path
Alabama (2018–22): Five straight top-20 scoring defenses with three SEC titles and a national championship.
UTSA (2016–17): Directed one of the nation’s best defenses and the program’s first bowl appearance.
Southern Miss (2014–15): Served as safeties coach during a turnaround period that culminated in a 9-5 season, a Conference USA West Division title and a trip to the Heart of Dallas Bowl in his second year.
Southeastern Louisiana (2012–13): Defensive coordinator for the Lions’ historic 11-win season and first conference title since 1961.
Delta State (2010–11, 2006 GA): Coached a Division II national championship appearance and began his career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater.
Tusculum (2007–09): Developed a record-setting Division II defense as defensive coordinator.
Golding, a native of Mississippi, played safety at Delta State from 2002–05 and graduated with a business degree in 2005.
