Ole Miss Coach Golding Dismisses Kiffin’s Exit Ahead of CFP Semifinal

In a surprising turn of events, Pete Golding, the newly appointed head coach of Ole Miss, dismissed suggestions that his team’s recent success in the College Football Playoff (CFP) was a direct response to former coach Lane Kiffin‘s departure. During a press conference on December 27, 2023, ahead of the CFP semifinal against Miami at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Golding stated, “I don’t have s— to say to anybody,” when asked if he had any messages for Kiffin or doubters of the program.

Kiffin left Ole Miss after a successful regular season, where the team finished with an impressive record of 11-1. He accepted the head coaching position at LSU on November 30. Shortly thereafter, Golding was promoted from his role as defensive coordinator to head coach. Under Golding’s leadership, the Rebels have achieved noteworthy victories over Tulane and Georgia, propelling them into the semifinals despite the upheaval within the coaching staff.

Golding emphasized that the timing of Kiffin’s exit was fortuitous for the players. “There was already a culture created,” he noted, asserting that the players were well aware of the expectations placed upon them. “The only thing that was different was who’s running them out of the tunnel. To be honest with you, I don’t think the players give a damn who runs them out of the tunnel. They care about their plan,” he added.

He also highlighted the strength and resilience of the program, stating, “You want to build a program to where it’s heading in the right direction, and one person, one player, is not going to derail that.” Golding believes that the foundation laid by the program is robust enough that Kiffin’s departure would not significantly impact its trajectory.

Looking ahead to the semifinal match against Miami, Golding confirmed that offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith would remain with the team for the game. However, tight ends coach/co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and receivers coach/passing game coordinator George McDonald will not participate, as they are joining Kiffin at LSU. Golding acknowledged the challenges these changes present but affirmed that the team has “plenty of people” to coach them through the upcoming game.

As Ole Miss prepares for what could be a historic matchup, the program continues to rally behind Golding’s leadership, determined to prove that their recent achievements are a testament to their resilience and commitment, rather than a reaction to past events. The Rebels’ journey through the playoffs serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of collegiate football, where change can lead to new opportunities and unexpected successes.