Meet Pete Golding: Ole Miss' New Head Coach, His Family, and the Future of Rebel Nation

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Ole Miss has officially named Pete Golding as its new head coach, following Lane Kiffin's departure for LSU. The 41-year-old defensive coordinator, who has been instrumental in shaping the Rebels' defense, will take on the mantle of leading the team. In his first statement as head coach, Golding expressed his excitement and commitment to the team, emphasizing the importance of playing with toughness, discipline, and relentless effort. Golding, who has extensive experience as a defensive coordinator, has been with Ole Miss since 2023, when he was hired by Kiffin. Prior to that, he held various defensive coordinator positions at Alabama, University of Texas at San Antonio, Southeastern Louisiana, Delta State, and Tusculum. Under his guidance, the Rebels allowed just 18.5 points per game. Golding is married to Carolyn, a graduate of Ole Miss and a Taylor Medalist, the university's highest academic honor. The couple has three children, Braxton, Bentley, and Bailey. Carolyn, a native of Cleveland, is a CPA and a former teacher at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She and Pete met in Cleveland, where he played football for Delta State University. The new head coach's salary as defensive coordinator was $2.55 million in 2025, with an increase to $2.7 million through 2027. However, his compensation is expected to rise now that he has taken on the head coaching role. While his exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, Golding's family has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including a $100,000 donation to the Patterson School Building Fund in 2024. Golding's appointment has generated significant interest, given his background and the team's recent performance. As he embarks on this new chapter, the focus will be on his ability to lead the Rebels to success and bring championships to Oxford.