Greg McElroy discusses reputation of Alabama defense under Pete Golding

Greg McElroy believes Pete Golding is getting a raw deal from Alabama fans after accepting the defensive coordinator job at Ole Miss.

The former Crimson Tide quarterback explained why he believes it’ll be difficult for Nick Saban to replace his now-former defensive coordinator, and how important Golding was to the Alabama operation over his time in Tuscaloosa.

“Much has been made of his tenure, and the regression that was experienced under Pete Golding’s watch. I don’t necessarily subscribe to those ideals. You look at the numbers, statistically speaking, against the run, all these other things — Pete Golding did a fairly adequate job,” stated McElroy. “One thing you could say about Pete Golding is yes, there were times in big games his teams got torched. Maybe he put a little too much on the plate of some of the defenders on a week-to-week basis. But for all intents and purposes, he was a relentless recruiter. Did a pretty good job in his time at the University of Alabama.

“It will be difficult to replace him, especially on the recruiting trail, but ultimately I think it’s best for him to go somewhere where he can get a fresh start, because he was obviously under so much fire and so much pressure as the defensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa the last handful of years.”

Alas, it’ll be fascinating to see how Nick Saban chooses to steer his ship after losing both his coordinators, but the Alabama leader will never be counted out. Inevitably, he’ll find a more than suitable replacement.

Still, it’s evident Greg McElroy believes Pete Golding deserves his flowers, and the latter will have something to prove in Oxford.

Joel Klatt explains Pete Golding’s move from Nick Saban, Alabama to Ole Miss

Meanwhile, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt said Golding left for the same spot within the same division with Saban’s blessing. He made the argument a move like that does not happen without Saban having some grand plan.

Klatt explained how Golding left the Crimson Tide for the Rebels, despite coaching under Saban.

“Pete Golding is leaving Alabama, he’s gonna go join the Lane train,” Klatt said on his podcast. “Down to Ole Miss, Pete Golding. Not a ton of thoughts on this other than this: I don’t think anything happens at Alabama or within that program under Nick Saban that Nick Saban doesn’t either bless or desire he wants it to happen. 

“Either way, I know of guys specifically, and I’m not gonna name names specifically, that have coached for Nick Saban that got great opportunities. And he told them, ‘No, you’re not going to do that. You’re gonna stay here and here’s the reason why.’ He desired that they stayed. Those same guys got different opportunities and he said, ‘thumbs up, like, go ahead.’” 

Based on Klatt’s words, the analyst and former quarterback sounded like he suggested Saban wanted Golding out without directly removing him from the staff.

“You cannot tell me that Nick Saban sat in front of Pete Golding, and said, ‘Yeah, Ole Miss defensive coordinator is better than being here,’” Klatt said. “‘Like you need to go do that.’ That’s all I’m gonna say. Like I think Pete has done a nice job in many respects. They’ve lost Charles Kelly as well. He went to Colorado to be the defensive coordinator at Colorado. I would just say this at Alabama. Nothing happens in that program, nothing, nothing happens in that program that Nick Saban doesn’t either bless or desire.”

Before Alabama, Golding was a defensive assistant at a number of stops. He started at Delta State as a graduate assistant before a brief stint as the DC and defensive backs coach at Tusculum College. 

He returned to Delta State as DC and DBs coach. From there, Golding went to Southeast Louisiana, then Southern Miss and finally UTSA before getting hired at Alabama.

Under Golding, the Alabama defense was among the top outfits in the nation in terms of total defense. However, in 2022, the Crimson Tide defense had uncharacteristic issues, particularly giving up big plays on the back end of the defense.

Alabama finished 13th nationally in total defense in 2022, giving up fewer than 320 yards per game. The Crimson Tide only gave up more than 20 points five times in 2022; five opponents also were shutout or only scored once.

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this article.