Pete Golding’s three-year extension at Ole Miss elevates him into the top tier of college defensive coordinators, with an average annual value of 2.61 million. The move underscores Lane Kiffin’s commitment to elite defense after a season that saw Ole Miss rank second in points allowed (14.4 per game) and lead the nation in sacks per game (52), marking a school-record defensive performance.

Ole Miss faces a rebuild, losing nine starters on defense, including Walter Nolen, the No. 16 overall pick who joined the Arizona Cardinals. Golding remains bullish about 2025, stressing a “good mesh” of veteran system knowledge and a strong influx of high school recruits and transfers. Returning interior disruptors like Zxavian Harris, plus edge presence Suntarine Perkins and portal additions Princewill Umanmielen and Da’Shawn Womack, are mapped to keep the Rebels’ front from losing its bite and to sustain the program’s defensive identity.

The 2025 plan hinges on continuity at the front and depth behind it, with Golding calling for a seamless transition that preserves his approach even as personnel turn over. The message is clear: Ole Miss intends to defend at a historically high level again, leveraging a blend of returning players and new faces to sustain a disruptive, aggressive scheme.