Pete Golding, Ole Miss football coach replacing Lane Kiffin in first full season

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Golding of the Ole Miss Rebels interacts with head coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes after the game during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. The Hurricanes defeated the Rebels 31-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Golding of the Ole Miss Rebels looks on prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding runs off the field during warmups before the CFP Fiesta Bowl at the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding runs off the field during warmups before the CFP Fiesta Bowl at the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Ole Miss Head Coach Pete Golding is given a gift basket during a CFP and Fiesta Bowl press conference at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.

Ole Miss Head Coach Pete Golding poses for a photo during a CFP and Fiesta Bowl press conference at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding lifts the Sugar Bowl trophy after the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34.

Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels players pour Gatorade on head coach Pete Golding near the end of the fourth quarter during the 2025 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding talks with players during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Pete Golding of the Ole Miss Rebels reacts during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding smiles during a press conference for the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, La., on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart shake hands while posing for pictures during a press conference for the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, La., on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding smiles while talking with players during an Ole Miss practice for the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.

Ole Miss Head Coach Pete Golding raises a fist as he leaves the field after winning the first round of the College Football Playoff against Tulane at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - DECEMBER 20: Head coach Pete Golding of the Ole Miss Rebels is doused with water after the game against the Tulane Green Wave during the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Ole Miss Head Coach Pete Golding watches on the sidelines during the first round of the College Football Playoff against Tulane at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.

Ole Miss Head Coach Pete Golding is seen before the Ole Miss vs. Tulane College Football Playoff game in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.

Ole Miss head football coach Pete Golding speaks at a press conference at the Manning Center at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Ole Miss head football coach Pete Golding speaks at a press conference at the Manning Center at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Ole Miss head football coach Pete Golding speaks at a press conference at the Manning Center at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Ole Miss head football coach Pete Golding speaks at a press conference at the Manning Center at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Dec 2, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach football Pete Golding is introduced during a timeout during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Dec 2, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach football Pete Golding is introduced during a timeout during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Dec 2, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach football Pete Golding is introduced during a timeout during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Oct 28, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive coorinator Pete Golding watches from the sidelines during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding signals during football practice in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

Sep 21, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive coordinator Pete Golding watches during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Sep 21, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (left) shares a laugh with defensive coordinator Pete Golding (right) during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Aug 31, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive coordinator Pete Golding watches during warm ups prior to the game against the Furman Paladins at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive coordinator Pete Golding gives direction during warm ups prior to the game against the Furman Paladins at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding coaches during the Ole Miss Grove Bowl Games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Apr. 13, 2024.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 02: Defensive coordinator Pete Golding of the Mississippi Rebels reacts on the side line during the first half of their game against the Mercer Bears at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 02, 2023 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775996406 ORIG FILE ID: 1655380097