Ole Miss has had a rollercoaster season. The Rebels are currently experiencing the best season in school history, but also some controversy.
Ole Miss finished the regular season 11-1. After beating Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, it was announced that head coach Lane Kiffin was leaving for LSU at the end of the year. Those in charge at Ole Miss decided that Kiffin could leave instantly and moved on to not an interim head coach, but an outright new head coach as the Rebels promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding.
All of a sudden, Golding was charged with leading Ole Miss into the College Football Playoff as Kiffin watched from the sidelines and looked ahead to his future at LSU.
Here is everything you need to know about Ole Miss' head coach.
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Who is Pete Golding?
Golding is Ole Miss' head football coach. He was serving as the defensive coordinator under Lane Kiffin, but was named the interim head coach after Kiffin left for LSU. Golding had never served as a head coach before.
He specialized in defensive coaching, being the Alabama defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2022 before joining Kiffin at Ole Miss in 2023. Two years later, and he is the new head coach for the Rebels.
Is Pete Golding the new Ole Miss head coach?
Yes. Golding was initially named the interim head coach when Kiffin announced his departure. After meeting with Ole Miss, the university decided that they wanted a sense of permanence as the Rebels entered the 2025 College Football Playoff, and it was announced on November 30 that he would be the permanent head coach moving forward.
OFFICIAL | Pete Golding Named Head Football Coach at Ole Miss @CoachGolding x #HottyToddy
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 30, 2025
📰 https://t.co/62UAijwn2k pic.twitter.com/WHMFoxH65S
How old is Pete Golding?
Golding was born on February 8, 1984. He is 41 years old and will turn 42 ahead of next season.
Where is Pete Golding from?
Golding was born in Hammond, Louisiana. He played safety in college for Delta State in Mississippi, and after graduating, went right into coaching.
MORE: Lane Kiffin's complete history of controversial exits in football
Where did Pete Golding coach before Ole Miss?
Golding's last season at Delta State was in 2005. He became a graduate assistant for the school in 2006, and has been coaching ever since. Here's a look at Golding's coaching career.
- Delta State (2006) -- Graduate Assistant
- Tusculum (2007-2009) -- Defensive Coordinator, Defensive backs coach
- Delta State (2010-2011) -- Defensive Coordinator, Defensive backs coach
- Southeastern Louisiana (2012-2013) -- Defensive Coordinator
- Southern Miss (2014-2015) -- Defensive backs coach
- UTSA (2016-2017) -- Defensive Coordinator, Cornerbacks coach
- Alabama (2018-2022) -- Defensive Coordinator, Inside linebackers coach
- Ole Miss (2023-2025) -- Defensive Coordinator, Inside linebackers coach
- Ole Miss (2025-present) -- Head coach
Is Pete Golding going to LSU?
No, Golding will not be going to LSU and instead will be coaching the Rebels.
Kiffin left for LSU, taking his offensive coordinator and some other coaches with him. Golding was serving as Kiffin's Defensive Coordinator, but was named Ole Miss's head coach as Kiffin's replacement.