Ole Miss AD Releases Statement After Head Coaching Announ...

By Matt Audilet

Contributing Sports Writer

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The Ole Miss Rebels are beginning a new coaching era in Oxford.

On Sunday, Lane Kiffin announced his decision to accept a lucrative contract offer from the LSU Tigers. The 50-year-old program leader is already on his way to Baton Rouge, leaving the 11-1 Rebels before they embark on their College Football Playoff campaign.

Ole Miss moved fast in finding its next permanent head coach, hiring defensive coordinator Pete Golding as the program's leader for the College Football Playoff and beyond.

Golding is the school's 40th head football coach, taking over the position Kiffin held over the last six seasons in Oxford.

Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter reacted to the announcement with a post on social media.

"Let’s go! No one better @CoachGolding! Excited for the next few weeks and for the future of @OleMissFB. Players and staff ready to go win a natty! #CFP," Carter wrote on X.

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Carter released an official statement soon after the announcement of Golding's hire.

"Coach Kiffin and I met yesterday, and he informed us that he is accepting the head coaching position at another school," Carter wrote. "For our program to begin preparing for its future – both the short and long term, he will be stepping away from the team immediately.

"With this development, we could not be more excited to announce Pete Golding as the next head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. His tenure will begin immediately as he leads our program in the pursuit of a national title. Today's team meeting was a clear indicator of his ability to galvanize our squad. All of our players and coaches are ecstatic and ready to lock arms for a playoff run."

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Under the direction of Golding, Ole Miss will look to overcome this adversity and compete for a College Football Playoff national championship. The Rebels finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, marking the school's best finish in program history.

"I want to thank our student-athletes, our staff and Rebel Nation for their patience and support during this process," Carter concluded. "The future of Ole Miss Football is brighter than ever, and we look forward to taking the next steps in our program's journey with Pete Golding at the helm."

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