Kiffin Responds to Golding's Reveal of Ole Miss Departure

LSU coach Lane Kiffin reacts to Ole Miss coach Pete Golding's account of Kiffin's abrupt exit from Oxford last year.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:53pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a college football game, with sharp geometric shapes in purple, gold, red, and blue overlapping to create a dynamic, multi-angled visual representation of the action on the field.The upcoming clash between former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and his successor Pete Golding promises to be a high-intensity, multi-dimensional affair.Baton Rouge Today

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin responded on social media to Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding's detailed recollection of Kiffin's polarizing departure from the Rebels program last year. Golding described the minute-by-minute events leading up to Kiffin's decision to leave Ole Miss for the LSU job, which he announced just days before the team's College Football Playoff appearance.

Why it matters

Kiffin's exit from Ole Miss was acrimonious, with the former Rebels coach barred from coaching the team in the playoffs after leading them to an 11-1 regular season. Golding's behind-the-scenes account sheds new light on the chaotic circumstances surrounding Kiffin's departure and his elevation to interim head coach.

The details

According to Golding, he rode back with Kiffin after the Egg Bowl and couldn't get a clear sense of the coach's plans, as Kiffin seemed to be wavering between Florida, LSU, and staying at Ole Miss. It wasn't until that Saturday night that Golding received the call from athletic director Keith Carter informing him that Kiffin was leaving and asking Golding to take over as head coach.

  • On the Friday after the Egg Bowl, Golding rode back with Kiffin but couldn't get a clear sense of his plans.
  • On that Saturday night, Golding received the call from AD Keith Carter saying Kiffin was leaving and asking Golding to be the interim head coach.

The players

Lane Kiffin

The current head coach of the LSU Tigers, who previously served as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels before departing for Baton Rouge in a controversial move last year.

Pete Golding

The current head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, who was elevated from defensive coordinator to interim head coach after Kiffin's abrupt departure last year.

Keith Carter

The athletic director of the University of Mississippi, who elevated Golding to interim head coach after Kiffin left the program.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, the Egg Bowl was that Friday. I rode back with Kiff. I still couldn't get a real feel. I was with him the whole time and it was like 'Tuesday, I'm going to Florida. Wednesday, I'm going to LSU. Thursday, I'm staying.' I still couldn't have a real feel.”

— Pete Golding, Ole Miss Head Coach

“Saturday night, I got the first call from Carter saying, 'Kiff has decided to go elsewhere. Let's meet at 7:30.' It got real at about 12:20 that day. They called me back over, the chancellor and Keith, and said, 'Hey, we really want you to do this. We think it's the right time. We think you're the right guy.'”

— Pete Golding, Ole Miss Head Coach

“Well done guys.”

— Lane Kiffin

What’s next

Kiffin and Golding are set to face off when LSU visits Ole Miss on September 19, 2026 in a highly anticipated matchup between the former coach and his former assistant.

The takeaway

Golding's behind-the-scenes account provides new insight into the chaotic circumstances surrounding Kiffin's abrupt departure from Ole Miss, which left the program in a difficult position just days before their College Football Playoff appearance. The upcoming LSU-Ole Miss clash will be a highly anticipated rematch between the former coach and his successor.