Alabama Football: Nick Saban holds on to Pete Golding

Alabama Football: Official announcements are not made when a Tide coach passes on other opportunities but it is clear Pete Golding is not leaving.

For the past two seasons, many Alabama football fans have hoped Defensive Coordinator, Pete Golding would exit Tuscaloosa. Nick Saban disagreed with the strong negative opinions of his young assistant.

Over the last week, claims surfaced LSU was interested in Golding. Quickly following that news were widespread reports Steve Sarkisian was pushing hard to bring Golding to Austin. Alabama football insiders stated Nick Saban decided to match the raise offered to Golding by the Longhorns.

As the situation played out, some new appreciation for Golding bubbled up. Crimson Tide fans warmed to the idea Nick Saban might be the best judge of Golding’s abilities. More than a few decided losing Golding would be a major blow to the 2021 team.

On Tuesday, Bruce Feldman tweeted,

"Texas set to hire Washington defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski as UT’s new DC."

There was never much risk of losing Golding to LSU. Also on Tuesday morning, The Advocate reported,

"LSU remains in the middle of finalizing a complex deal with New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen to make him the Tigers’ next defensive coordinator."

Updated: Tuesday afternoon it was learned

Alabama football fans hoping for a new DC need to accept the fact there is and will be no opening in Tuscaloosa. Former DC, Jeremy Pruitt might become a Crimson Tide analyst after being sacked by Tennessee. There is little chance Pruitt will have an on-field position in the 2021 season.

Tennessee football can no longer be described as a dumpster fire. It is more like uranium is leaking from nearby Oak Ridge and being blown by a west wind directly at Neyland Stadium. The main culprit in the Vols’ demise is Phillip Fulmer, not Jeremy Pruitt. Pruitt may have broken NCAA rules, but despite the story being told in Knoxville, it’s unlikely he was the ringleader.

Pruitt’s biggest mistake was in becoming the Vols’ head coach. He can be forgiven for that, but it will require another of Nick Saban’s many rehabilitation projects.

Looking forward to next season, the Crimson Tide defense must play a bigger role. The roster losses on offense are significant. The good news is the 2020 Crimson Tide defensive unit was better than the minimal credit received. Pete Golding’s 2020 defense was No. 1 in the SEC in average points per game; plus No. 3 in passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed and total yards allowed.

Welcome back, coach Pete Golding. Good job also by Nick Saban for holding on to the Tide’s DC.