What Alabama said about facing familiar foe in Ole Miss DC Pete Golding

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama will play a familiar face this weekend in its SEC opener against Ole Miss. No, not Lane Kiffin or the other Rebel staffers who have ties to the Crimson Tide.

Former Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding is now in Oxford, Miss., in the same role after five seasons with the Tide. As expected, Nick Saban and Alabama’s players were asked about the former play-caller this week ahead of Saturday’s game against Ole Miss.

Saban on Monday was asked if he’s seen any carryover from Golding’s time at Alabama.

“There’s some few things that are a little different,” Saban said of his former assistant coach. “Quite a bit of it is the same. I’m sure it has something to do with personnel. But I think they’re playing better, and that makes them a better team.”

Through the first three weeks of the 2023 season, Golding’s defense is allowing 16.7 points per game (6th in the SEC) in addition to 123.67 rushing yards (11th), 226.7 passing yards (11th) and 350.3 total yards (11th) per contest. Ole Miss has recorded at least six tackles for loss and four sacks in each game thus far, and 24 TFLs and 10 sacks total, with nine Rebels contributing one sack. The pressure is paying off with three forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Ole Miss’ 10 sacks are tied for the 15th-most among FBS teams through the first three games, which is noteworthy this week with the Alabama offensive line allowing 12 sacks up to this point on the schedule, including five apiece in its last two outings. The Crimson Tide will look to keep the Rebel pass rush at bay in Saturday’s SEC matchup at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama’s players know Golding all too well from his time in Tuscaloosa, and as the Tide preps to face Ole Miss (2:30 p.m. CT on CBS), they talked about the matchup with a familiar foe or, in the case of the defensive players, the chance to see their old coach on the other side.

Tyler Booker, OL

“Coach Golding’s a great defensive coordinator. I remember last year during fall camp, he threw a lot of stuff at us. He knows how to use matchups really well. So we’re excited to go against him, we’re excited for the challenge he presents and we’re looking forward to the game this week.”

JC Latham, OL

“Just being aggressive. He has an aggressive mindset. He sprinkles in some complexities, so it’s not always the same look. Just understanding that when we see him, he’ll probably play us a little more squared-up, but occasionally, he’ll throw in something to try and throw us off.”

Malachi Moore, DB

“When Pete was here, he was a great guy. I loved him, and it’s definitely going to be good seeing his face on the sideline. His defense? You know, he wants the defense to have a nasty mentality, get the ball and play fast and aggressive. He did a good job when he was here.”

Roydell Williams, RB

“I’d say it’s probably the same defense, but just being ready for anything. He was a great defensive coordinator, and whatever he throws at us, we’ll be ready for it.”

Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $1! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!