### Ole Miss Football's New Era: Pete Golding Takes the Helm Amid Coaching Changes The Ole Miss Rebels have officially appointed Pete Golding as their new head coach, succeeding Lane Kiffin, who recently transitioned to LSU. This change comes as the Rebels prepare for a crucial matchup against Tulane in the College Football Playoff. Golding, previously the defensive coordinator at Alabama, is expected to bring a fresh perspective and strategic acumen to the program. His hiring marks a significant shift in Ole Miss's coaching landscape, especially as they aim to enhance their competitive edge in the SEC [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/12/20/pete-golding-ole-miss-football-coach-promoted-lane-kiffin/87783854007]. ### Key Developments in Ole Miss's Coaching Staff 1. **Pete Golding's Appointment**: Golding has been promoted to head coach, taking over from Lane Kiffin, who has moved to LSU [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/12/20/pete-golding-ole-miss-football-coach-promoted-lane-kiffin/87783854007]. 2. **Frank Wilson Joins Ole Miss**: Frank Wilson, the former interim head coach at LSU, is set to join Golding's staff as the running backs coach. Wilson's recruitment is seen as a strategic move to bolster Ole Miss's recruiting efforts, particularly in Louisiana [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ole-miss-rebels-hire-lsu-035742796.html]. 3. **Impact on LSU**: Wilson's departure from LSU leaves a gap in Kiffin's coaching staff, prompting discussions about potential replacements and the future direction of the Tigers' program [https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/lsu/football/2025/12/17/lsu-football-coaching-staff-tracker-lane-kiffin-frank-wilson/87803493007]. ### Supporting Evidence of Coaching Changes - **Golding's Background**: Golding has a strong defensive background, having served as Alabama's defensive coordinator, which could significantly impact Ole Miss's performance on that side of the ball [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/12/20/pete-golding-ole-miss-football-coach-promoted-lane-kiffin/87783854007]. - **Wilson's Reputation**: Known as a top recruiter, Wilson's ties to Louisiana and experience as a running backs coach make him a valuable asset for Ole Miss, especially in attracting local talent [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ole-miss-rebels-hire-lsu-035742796.html]. - **LSU's Coaching Transition**: With Kiffin's arrival at LSU, the Tigers are now tasked with finding a suitable replacement for Wilson, which could affect their recruiting strategy moving forward [https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/lsu/football/2025/12/17/lsu-football-coaching-staff-tracker-lane-kiffin-frank-wilson/87803493007]. ### Conclusion: A New Chapter for Ole Miss Football In summary, the transition to Pete Golding as head coach and the hiring of Frank Wilson as running backs coach signal a new chapter for Ole Miss football. This strategic shift aims to enhance the program's competitiveness in the SEC and improve recruiting efforts in key regions. The upcoming College Football Playoff matchup against Tulane will serve as a critical test for Golding and his newly assembled staff. 1. **Golding's Promotion**: Marks a significant leadership change for Ole Miss [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/12/20/pete-golding-ole-miss-football-coach-promoted-lane-kiffin/87783854007]. 2. **Wilson's Recruitment**: Expected to strengthen Ole Miss's recruiting capabilities [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ole-miss-rebels-hire-lsu-035742796.html]. 3. **Impact on LSU**: Kiffin's need to replace Wilson could reshape LSU's coaching strategy [https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/lsu/football/2025/12/17/lsu-football-coaching-staff-tracker-lane-kiffin-frank-wilson/87803493007].