Lane Kiffin sparked controversy (again) with the Ole Miss Rebels after making some controversial comments about what he heard from families during the recruiting process. After several weeks letting those words marinate, head coach Pete Golding finally opens up about what Kiffin said about the program and the University.
Golding, who is 42 years old, acknowledged the comments were controversial and admitted he is in a strange position because of it, according to Nick Kosko of On3 Sports. Pete Golding claimed that on one hand, he’s friends with Kiffin, but on the other, he has to defend Ole Miss. Ultimately, he believes Oxford, Mississippi, is much different from its complicated past, and wants people to come experience the city for themselves.
“I really don’t have a response to it,” said Golding about Kiffin’s comments. “I mean, obviously, there’s a Lane side for us that we’re buddies and are friends, and then there’s professional side that I have to get on his a**, you know? But I think every time he gets in front of a camera, they’re bringing up Ole Miss and all that. I think the breakup wasn’t perfect. I don’t think any of them ever will be.
“But … for some of the last … comments that he made, I think anybody that’s been to Oxford knows that’s not where we’re at right now,” continued Golding. “I’ve lived all over the southeast, we all got our own issues, you know, but I think the biggest thing is, make sure people come to Oxford and see for themselves.”
Pete Golding is in line to serve as the head coach for a full season for the first time in his career in the 2026-27 campaign. He stepped in and was named the new coach almost immediately after Lane Kiffin left for the LSU Tigers job.
Golding’s first game as head coach for Ole Miss came in the College Football Playoff. He led the program to two wins in the postseason before suffering a 31-27 Fiesta Bowl loss to the Miami Hurricanes in the semi-final round of the CFP.
Lane Kiffin sparked controversy (again) with the Ole Miss Rebels after making some controversial comments about what he heard from families during the recruiting process. After several weeks letting those words marinate, head coach Pete Golding finally opens up about what Kiffin said about the program and the University.
