OXFORD, Miss. — When the Lane Train finally screeched, swerved, and rattled its way out of Oxford and into Baton Rouge, Ole Miss found itself standing in the station holding its luggage, wondering what on earth just happened. Lane Kiffin did what Lane Kiffin always does — the man treats employers like stepping-stones across a creek: hop, don’t slip, and never look back.
So Ole Miss did the only logical thing an SEC program could do in late November while staring down a College Football Playoff appearance and a roster full of players refreshing their phones every 12 seconds: it handed the keys to defensive coordinator Pete Golding and said, “Fix this mess, please.”
And truth be told, it might be the smartest thing the Rebels have done all decade.
Golding Was the Only Choice That Made Sense
Golding has been Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator since 2023 after leaving Alabama, where he operated under Nick Saban and recruited like he earned commission checks. In Oxford, he rebuilt a defense that used to be softer than a church potluck biscuit. Under his watch, the Rebels delivered one of the program’s stingiest seasons in modern history, including a defense that allowed roughly 18 points per game while leading the nation in sacks and tackles for loss last fall — 52 sacks and 120 TFLs, both program records.
That defense fueled Ole Miss to an 11-win regular season, the first in school history, including a breakthrough home win over Georgia. Players bought in. Recruits flocked. The Landshark wasn’t just a mascot again — it was an identity.
And perhaps more importantly: Pete Golding is the reason half this roster came to Oxford. He helped assemble much of the current recruiting nucleus and built trust with families across Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and beyond.
When Kiffin bolted, Ole Miss had two choices:
- Promote Golding and stabilize the roster and staff.
- Panic-hire an unproven Group of Five coach and pray.
Keith Carter chose correctly.
Lane Being Lane — And Why Ole Miss Should’ve Seen It Coming
Look, I genuinely feel for the Ole Miss faithful. Oxford is a wonderful town full of gracious people, charming restaurants, good bourbon and better stories. But y’all knew good and well you were signing up for the Lane Kiffin Experience.
You can’t turn a bleep into a housewife.
You can’t turn a stray cat into a loyal house pet.
And you sure as hell can’t count on Lane Kiffin to plant roots.
He left Tennessee in the dead of night.
He used Florida Atlantic like a rental car.
He derailed Alabama’s national title prep when he peaced out early in 2016.
He flirted with Auburn for a month in 2022 — and let the Rebels’ season fall apart — before his daughter talked him into staying.
Now that same daughter is dating LSU linebacker Whit Weeks, and Lane is coaching the Tigers. If Shakespeare wrote SEC drama, he wouldn’t dare come up with something that on-the-nose.
Ole Miss fans should be mad — but not surprised.
Golding Gives the Rebels a Fighting Chance — Right Now
Promoting Golding does three essential things immediately:
1. Keeps the roster intact.
Players trust him. Several key starters publicly credited him for their development. Losing him would’ve triggered a transfer portal jailbreak.
2. Retains the staff.
Ole Miss’ personnel room remains stable, avoiding the panic of an outsider coming in two weeks before bowl season or losing everyone.
3. Offers continuity through the playoff.
No team has ever navigated a postseason with a head coach who already took another job. Ole Miss wasn’t going to be the guinea pig.
Now, allow me to be honest — as a Bama alumnus who watched Golding for years. I always admired his recruiting and his energy. I also aged seven years watching his third-down defenses occasionally give up 3rd-and-forever like it was a charity offering.
But I’ll say this: Pete Golding loves ball. He’s loyal. He works. He connects with players. And he’s earned this shot.
The Right Hire at the Right Time
This hire didn’t need to be flashy. It needed to be right.
Ole Miss didn’t need the next hotshot coordinator with a Photoshop-friendly smile. It needed somebody who could walk into the team meeting room today — not a week from now — and immediately calm the storm.
Golding does that.
He steadies the roster.
He steadies the staff.
He gives the Rebels a legitimate path to winning now and competing next fall.
He’s not a splash.
He’s a foundation.
And after the Lane Kiffin circus packed up and rolled down to the Bayou, Ole Miss didn’t need fireworks.
It needed peace.
Pete Golding delivers exactly that — and maybe a whole lot more.
Rebel fans: you might’ve been left at the altar, but at least you didn’t stay married to the groom out of convenience. You kicked the baggage to Baton Rouge, kept your roster intact, and hired a coach who actually wants to be in Oxford.
That’s a win in my book.
And if I — a Bama guy — like this hire?
Y’all should absolutely love it.
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