Will Ole Miss Rebels Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding Follow Lane Kiffin to LSU?

Golding has emerged as the top assistant coach on Kiffin's staff in Oxford, fate decided amid chaotic stretch.

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-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin is expected to be formally introduced as the next head coach of the LSU Tigers on Sunday where he will depart the Ole Miss Rebels amid a College Football Playoff run.

In what has become a saga in Oxford, Kiffin's unprecedented move has sent shockwaves across the college football scene with the administration now scrambling to keep the program intact.

"Sources told ESPN on Saturday that the expectation is LSU will hire Kiffin away from Ole Miss on Sunday. A source cautioned that the deal was not signed as of late Saturday night, but added that it 'would be a shock' if he didn't sign the deal," ESPN wrote on Saturday night.

"Should he agree to the contract, it would pay him, a source said, around $12 million annually, across seven seasons, with the potential for bonuses, making him among one of the highest paid coaches in the sport."

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin looks up at the scoreboard during a time out in second half of the Egg Bowl at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. | Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kiffin met with Ole Miss officials on Saturday evening where he spoke with athletics director Keith Carter about his future - seemingly revealing a move to LSU - but has a desire to coach the College Football Playoff.

Now, as Kiffin prepares to make his way to Baton Rouge, the talk around Oxford surrounds which players and staffers he will bring with him.

Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding has emerged as one of the brightest minds in college football on his way to becoming an integral piece to Kiffin's staff.

According to CBS Sports, Golding is not expected to follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge where he's set to remain with the Ole Miss Rebels.

Amidst speculation of which staff could follow Lane Kiffin to LSU, multiple sources have told @mzenitz and me for @CBSSports Ole Miss DC Pete Golding is not expected to be one of them.

Golding has been at Ole Miss since 2023 and is highly-regarded as a DC in CFB circles. pic.twitter.com/dqLD77B5dJ

— John Talty (@JTalty) November 30, 2025

Sources confirm to Ole Miss Rebels On SI that as Kiffin departs, the administration is navigating the next steps amid a College Football Playoff run with Golding or quarterbacks coach Joe Judge set to serve as the interim.

“As for the second part, will he coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff? Right now, that answer is no," ESPN's Pete Thamel said late Saturday night. "There were discussion today. Lane Kiffin met with AD Keith Carter at the chancellor’s house for about two hours this evening. Then they departed.

"They waited for the results of the Iron Bowl. As of right now — and this is Lane Kiffin, things can change — the overwhelming expectation is that he’s the next coach at LSU and Ole Miss is going to the College Football Playoff, where it’s going to host a game with an interim coach."

More Ole Miss News:

Ole Miss Makes Final Decision on Lane Kiffin Coaching CFP As LSU Tigers Pick Up Steam

Potential Lane Kiffin Replacements Revealed As Future With Ole Miss 'In Doubt'

Tony Vitello Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin in Goodbye to Tennessee

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.