TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding is leaving the program to take the same position at Ole Miss, according to ESPN. Although no official word has been made on the future of current Ole Miss DC Chris Partridge, the report did indicate that Golding will replace Partridge as the Rebels' defensive coordinator.
Golding has long been considered one of the top defensive assistants in college football. He began his coaching career in 2006, with stops at Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss and UTSA along the way. He was hired by Alabama in 2018 as a co-defensive coordinator and was promoted to the primary defensive coordinator role on Nick Saban's staff in 2019.
Alabama's defense ranked second in the SEC this past season in both points (18.0) and yards (311.3) allowed per game. The Crimson Tide held eight of their 13 opponents to 20 points or fewer in 2022, but did allow a combined 84 points in their two losses to Tennessee and LSU.
Golding, 38, will be tasked with taking over an Ole Miss defense that ranked No. 75 in total defense and No. 57 in scoring defense under Partridge. The Rebels lost four straight to close out the 2022 season, allowing 34.5 PPG over that stretch.