Alabama Football: Pete Golding to Ole Miss rumors

For days there have been rumors of Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss trying to hire Alabama Football, Defensive Coordinator, Pete Golding. Bama Hammer had not commented on the unconfirmed rumors, waiting to find a credible source. At this point, it has become clear some conversations have taken place regarding such a move by Golding.

Where those conversations will lead is not known. But, the many Alabama football fans who have hoped for an exit by Golding may get their wish.

Officially, nothing has changed from the status Pete Golding provided in his pre-Sugar Bowl media session.

Pete Golding has been a member of Nick Saban’s Alabama football staff since the 2018 season. Prior to coming to Tuscaloosa, Golding’s coaching career, going back to 2006, had very un-Tuscaloosa-like destinations. Golding coached at Delta State, where he played college football, Tusculum, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss, and Texas-San Antonio.

While Golding has had vocal detractors throughout his time in Tuscaloosa, it has often been said Nick Saban respects Golding as a sharp defensive mind. Not subject to debate is Golding’s reputation as a strong recruiter. Golding’s Louisiana background and his many years of playing and coaching football in the state of Mississippi make him a natural hire for Kiffin and Ole Miss.

The Rebels have struggled in high school recruiting, though Lane Kiffin has been adept at using the Transfer Portal to build his roster. Golding could provide Ole Miss with a recruiting boost.

Will Alabama Football undergo major change?

Presuming the answer to the above is a yes is not a stretch. The change could well be a new DC and a new OC for the 2023 season. At this point, it is almost a foregone conclusion that Bill O’Brien will not return.

The Golding situation is less clear. It appears Ole Miss has serious interest. If it happens, who would Nick Saban turn to for his next Defensive Coordinator? Many Alabama football fans hope Saban’s choice would be a return of Jeremy Pruitt.

Pruitt has more than a little NCAA complication from an ongoing investigation into his tenure as Tennessee’s head coach. He is not encumbered by a show cause and it is possible that neither the NCAA nor the SEC can (or would) prohibit Alabama from hiring Pruitt.

Other names mentioned have been Jim Leonhard and Glenn Schumann. There are rumors Lincoln Riley will dump Alex Grinch to hire Leonhard. Nothing will happen with Schumann until after the National Championship game.

Bama Hammer will offer more information as soon as anything more definitive is learned about the Pete Golding situation.