Ole Miss Football's Pete Golding Reveals Critical Advice From Nick Saban

Golding shares lessons learned from his time under Saban's tutelage at Alabama.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of a college football game, with players and field elements broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes of color.Golding's Cubist vision aims to build on Ole Miss' recent success by blending Saban's system stability with his own unique approach.Tuscaloosa Today

In a pivotal offseason for the Ole Miss Rebels football program, new head coach Pete Golding is drawing on the wisdom he gained while serving on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama. Golding revealed that Saban's emphasis on system stability and trust in his assistants has been instrumental in shaping Golding's approach as he looks to build sustained success in Oxford.

Why it matters

As Ole Miss navigates a coaching change and roster overhaul, Golding's experience under the legendary Saban could prove invaluable in helping the Rebels maintain their momentum from last season's College Football Playoff appearance.

The details

Golding highlighted Saban's belief in keeping consistent systems in place, even as coaching staffs turn over, as a key factor in Alabama's sustained excellence. Saban's hands-on involvement in all aspects of the program, from gameplan meetings to special teams, also left a lasting impression on Golding. The new Ole Miss head coach is now aiming to replicate that level of attention to detail and trust in his assistants as he puts his own stamp on the Rebels' program.

  • Golding was promoted to head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels on November 30, 2025 after Lane Kiffin's departure.
  • The Rebels punched a ticket to the College Football Playoff last fall under Kiffin's leadership.

The players

Pete Golding

The new head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels football program, who previously served as the team's defensive coordinator. Golding is drawing on lessons learned while working under Nick Saban at Alabama.

Nick Saban

The legendary head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, known for his sustained success and attention to detail. Golding spent time on Saban's staff in Tuscaloosa.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We were going to the SEC Championship Game and competing for national championships, and there were different coordinators and different position coaches, but the systems were in place. When you have stability in systems, you recruit really good players and you hold them accountable, the winning takes care of itself.”

— Pete Golding, Head Coach, Ole Miss Rebels

“There wasn't a defensive meeting he wasn't in. There wasn't a special teams meeting he wasn't in and he didn't even call the defense. He was in every gameplan meeting, every (defensive back) meeting, every defensive unit meeting, every special teams meeting because he had it set up the right way and trusted people to do their job in other areas of the program.”

— Pete Golding, Head Coach, Ole Miss Rebels

What’s next

Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels will look to build on last season's College Football Playoff appearance as they navigate a pivotal offseason with a revamped roster and coaching staff.

The takeaway

Golding's experience under the legendary Nick Saban at Alabama has equipped him with valuable insights on sustaining success through system stability and empowering his assistants. As he takes the reins at Ole Miss, Golding is poised to apply these lessons in his quest to maintain the Rebels' momentum and establish a new era of greatness in Oxford.