Pete Golding Set To Replace Lane Kiffin At Ole Miss

In a move that shocked absolutely nobody who’s been paying attention to the Lane Kiffin circus, Ole Miss has officially handed the head coaching keys to Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding. The announcement came Sunday, hot on the heels of Kiffin packing his bags, and reportedly half the offensive staff, for the greener pastures of Baton Rouge to take over at LSU.

Let’s call this what it is: a classic coaching carousel soap opera. One minute, Kiffin is leading the Rebels to a historic 11-1 season and a likely College Football Playoff berth. Next, he’s on a plane to LSU, leaving a trail of drama and a pointed social media post in his wake. Kiffin claimed he wanted to finish the season and lead the team through the playoffs, but Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter essentially said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and showed him the door immediately.

Golding Gets the Big Chair

So, who is Golding? For starters, he’s the guy who has been pulling the strings on the Ole Miss defense for the past two seasons, turning them into a respectable unit that only allows about 20 points per game. Before landing in Oxford, Golding was learning from the master himself, Nick Saban, as the defensive coordinator at Alabama from 2018 to 2022. He even worked alongside Kiffin in Tuscaloosa. It’s a small, incestuous world in the SEC, isn’t it?

The players seem to be on board. Reports from a team meeting described the squad as “ecstatic,” ready to “lock arms for a playoff run” with Golding at the helm. It’s a smart, stabilizing move by Ole Miss. Instead of a chaotic, wide-ranging search, they promoted from within, keeping some much-needed continuity as they stare down their first-ever CFP appearance.

What’s Next For Ole Miss?

The immediate priority for Golding is the playoff. Can he keep the ship from sinking after losing its captain? The hire certainly helps quiet the noise and assures the selection committee that Ole Miss isn’t a team in complete disarray. They’re hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2023 Florida State debacle.

But the real drama starts after the playoff run ends. The transfer portal is about to become a battleground. Kiffin is already allegedly making moves to poach top talent for his new LSU squad, with Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Running Back Kewan Lacy being the biggest names on the rumored wish list. The first real test for Golding won’t be on the field, but in the recruiting wars against his old boss. Get your popcorn ready for that showdown next fall when Kiffin brings the Tigers to Oxford. It’s going to be personal.

For now, Golding is the man in charge. He’s been handed an incredible opportunity and a mountain of pressure.