Alabama Football: Pete Golding had some explaining to do

Alabama football, Defensive Coordinator, Pete Golding spoke to media after third Tide practice.

The Alabama football defense may be more Nick Saban’s than it is Pete Golding’s. Internally to the Crimson Tide program that distinction matters. Externally it matters not at all. The 2019 Alabama football defense was below Crimson Tide standards. Crimson Tide fans and more than a few football pundits blame Golding.

Alabama football coordinators have one preseason press conference. Some coordinators may have wished for more exposure. We doubt Pete Golding is one of them.

Does the often maligned Golding deserve all the blame thrown his way? He does not. He was not responsible for the circumstances that pressed two true freshmen linebackers into starting roles. The blame for no elite edge rushers in the roster must be at least shared with other staff members, including Nick Saban.

No matter where blame should be fairly apportioned, Pete Golding must take the heat. The finished product of the Alabama football defense is his responsibility. On Thursday evening he spoke to Alabama media following the third Crimson Tide practice of fall camp.

Highlights of Pete Golding’s Comments

• “I took this job because I wanted to coach the best defense in the country. That’s the expectation and I don’t want it any differently.”
• “We’ve got an obligation to the coaches who came before us to meet the standard.”
• “Our standards aren’t going to change. Our expectations aren’t going to change just because we didn’t have spring ball”
• After last year the defense has “a chip on our shoulder”

Players Golding Discussed

• Golding said it is great to have Dylan Moses back “flying around”
• In the linebacker group, Golding credited Chris Allen and Ben Davis for showing leadership, saying the pair have been like “coaches on the field.”
• Commenting on SEC competition demanding two lock-down corners, Golden expressed confidence in Patrick Surtain II and Josh Jobe.
•  Golding praised Jordan Battle and mentioned Ronald Williams is in the mix as the Star, nickel cornerback.
• Golding also mentioned how well LaBryan Ray and Christian Barmore are doing.

Check out the complete video below.

Golding said the right things on Thursday night. He took no step back from the burden of his responsibility. Instead, he genuinely appeared to relish it.

Sarkisian was a tough act for Golding to follow. His resume does not come close to Sark, but he has plenty of passion and Alabama football fans should remember Nick Saban is sold on him.