Ole Miss stands by the decision they made by promoting DC Pete Golding as their head coach.
Luckily, Kiffin's silence on the rumors cautioned the Rebels just enough to decide on their next head coach with the College Football Playoff just around the corner.
With Kiffin out of the picture now, Golding handles the reins to Rebels in the Playoff.
Golding's utterly talented guy with three years of expeirnce working alongside Kiffin. He should have just enough familiarity with Kiffin's style to smoothly navigate the Rebels to the Playoff.
Paul Finebaum destroys Lane Kiffin for what he just did to Ole Miss
Keith Carter shuts down doubts on Golding
Golding is filling in the shoes of Kiffin, who, despite his reputation of ditching programs in the worst way possible, has a meritorious winning record. Naturally, fans will have their reservations.
"Ole Miss and its 7th rated offense efficiency-wise, will not have its head coach, its OC, its Co-OC and WR coach for whatever is next. The new HC is the DC of the lowest-rated defense efficiency-wise (52nd) of a CFP contender. Seems like something the committee has to address," a fan tweeted entering the post season week.
Carter didn't entertain even a shred of doubt from that as he simply brushed it off as "clickbait."
"Click bait. 11-1 in the SEC pal. (Ole Miss) ready to roll!" Carter replied.
Click bait. 11-1 in the SEC pal. @OleMissFB ready to roll! 🔴🔵 https://t.co/xAhoGnt8nC
— Keith Carter (@KeithCarterOM) December 1, 2025
Golding's defenses ever since he joined the Rebels in 2023 has performed extremely well, being part reason that Ole Miss could get to a 11-1 season.
Needless to say the Rebels' secondary could definitely be much better, but it is the improvement from where they started this season, and where they are currently, that shows the progress Golding made with them.
It will be interesting to see how the newly appointed Rebels' head coach restructures his staff in mere days, while preparing the team for a possible home-game Playoff appearance.