Lane Kiffin turned Ole Miss into one of college football’s most consistent programs during his six seasons in charge from 2020 through 2025. However, his decision to leave Oxford late in Nov. 2025 for a seven-year, $91 Million deal with SEC rival LSU quickly changed the conversation around his legacy.
As a result, many in the Oxford community criticized Kiffin for departing just before the College Football Playoff began. That time, defensive coordinator Pete Golding stepped into the spotlight and kept the Rebels on track.
Because of this messy situation, many expected Golding to have a complicated relationship with Kiffin, but the new head coach of Ole Miss revealed that’s not the case.
Pete Golding Opened Up on His Relationship With Lane Kiffin Despite the Messy Exit
During SEC Media Days, Golding addressed that topic after reporters asked about his relationship with Kiffin. Since he was one of the few assistants who stayed instead of following Kiffin to LSU, many expected a complicated answer.
Instead, Golding explained that he still respects Kiffin while remaining fully focused on leading Ole Miss and handling the responsibilities that come with his own role.
“I have no ill will towards Coach Kiffin,” he said. “He texts me on a regular basis. And there are certain things that we’ll talk about. And there are certain things that we don’t talk about.”
Golding joined Kiffin’s staff as Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator in 2023. Now, he enters his first full season as the Rebels’ head coach while refusing to let outside opinions define his relationship with his former mentor.
“He’s very competitive, just like I’m very competitive. So obviously a lot of this went a different direction when now he had a new job with additional responsibilities, and he’s going to be super competitive to be the best that he can at that job, right, which is his job. And so I can separate the two,” he added.
“I know some people can’t. So, you know, I tell a lot of these people, and I probably shouldn’t say this, but I don’t care.”
Now, going into the new season, Golding is in a football situation. However, keeping the roster together became his first major challenge. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and tailback Kewan Lacy both considered leaving Oxford to reunite with Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. at LSU.
Even with a talented core already in place, Golding still had to convince his biggest offensive stars that staying with the Rebels was the right move. That’s where he used Kiffin as an example.
He told both players to “Google Lane Kiffin” and see how quickly public opinion changed after his departure from Ole Miss. That conversation landed exactly as Golding hoped. Chambliss and Lacy ultimately chose to remain with the Rebels, giving Ole Miss another boost ahead of the 2026 campaign.
So now, the rivalry between LSU and Ole Miss carries even more emotion. LSU will visit Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 19 for a Week 3 showdown. Their first meeting since Kiffin’s departure already ranks among the SEC’s most anticipated games.
