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Pete Golding addresses crowd at Ole Miss basketball game, promises Rebels will 'finish what they started'

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels12/03/25ChandlerVessels

Pete Golding believes Ole Miss still has what it takes to win a national championship. It’s been a whirlwind past couple of days at Ole Miss with Lane Kiffin leaving to take the job at LSU.

Golding, who served as Kiffin’s defensive coordinator was announced as his replacement and will lead the Rebels into the College Football Playoff. On Monday, he addressed the fans at a men’s basketball game between Ole Miss and Miami.

Golding was accompanied by the football team and received a roar of cheers from the crowd as he was announced on the PA system. He also made a promise to the fans that they would get the job done in the postseason.

“Seventeen days from now, this group’s gonna finish what they started,” Golding said. “We’re gonna finish this thing the right way. First team in school history to make the playoffs. This is about these guys. Seventeen days from now, you’ve all gotta be ready to go.”

Ole Miss is ranked No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, so its spot in the 12-team playoff is pretty much secured at this point. The Rebels ended the year with an 11-1 record, marking just the second time in school history they finished with 11 wins.

Before Golding joined Ole Miss in 2023, he served as Alabama‘s defensive coordinator from 2018-22 under Nick Saban. Under Golding’s leadership, Ole Miss’ defense is only allowing 333.1 yards offense per game this season, ranking 33rd in the country.

Pete Golding also boasts coaching experience at UTSA, Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana and Delta State (his alma mater). Now, Golding has the largest opportunity of his career ahead of him.

Ole Miss has claimed three national championships in its history, but its most recent came in 1962. If it does manage to go all the way this season, it would put Golding down in school history and give fans plenty of confidence about the direction of the program under him going forward.

Because Ole Miss is likely to receive a top eight seed, it will also get the opportunity to host a first round game. That’s why Golding called upon the fans to be ready to come out and support when the time comes.

The Rebels won’t officially find out where they are in the CFP bracket and who they face until the final College Football Playoff rankings are announced. That will take place at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday and will be televised on ESPN.