Alabama DC Pete Golding leaving to join Lane Kiffin's staff at Ole Miss, per reports
Alabama football will have to find a new defensive coordinator for the 2023 season.
Pete Golding, Alabama's defensive coordinator the past five seasons, is leaving for the same position at Ole Miss, according to a report Friday from ESPN and others.
Golding arrived in Tuscaloosa to serve as co-defensive coordinator in 2018 while coaching inside linebackers. Golding became the lone defensive coordinator in 2019 and served in that role through 2022. Off the field, he became known as a strong recruiter for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama finished with the No. 13 scoring defense in 2019 (18.6 points per game) and 2020 (19.4), No. 18 in 2021 (20.1) and No. 9 in 2022 (18.0).
Golding was Alabama's nominee for the Broyles Award in 2022, given to the nation's top assistant coach.
"I think Pete has done a really, really good job," coach Nick Saban said in 2022. "He's very bright. He articulates well with the players. He's a good teacher. I think he's a good motivator."
Saban praised how the players respond well to Golding. He also mentioned Golding has added some elements to help Alabama improve.
"He's done a very good job with the personnel that we have," Saban said. "I just really appreciate the really good job that he's done. I think he's made really positive steps every year since he's been here. I love hiring younger guys like that and letting them grow and develop in the organization. He's certainly done a fantastic job of that."
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Prior to arriving in Tuscaloosa, Golding instructed defensive backs and coordinated the defense at Texas-San Antonio in 2016-17. The Hammond, Louisiana, native's coaching career also has stops at Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana, Delta State and Tusculum.
Golding has been a popular choice for criticism at times from fans.
"I don't listen to the outside noise, to be honest with you," Golding said ahead of the 2021 Cotton Bowl. "I think if you're a football coach and you do that, I think you get out of this profession pretty quick. You go start selling insurance and playing golf."
Golding said he aims to put a great product on the field each week, made possible by strong preparation.
"There's no bigger critic on me than me," he said.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Pete Golding leaving Alabama to be Ole Miss defensive coordinator
