Report: Pete Golding a 'strong candidate' for current head coach opening

Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding is reportedly a top candidate to take over for Billy Napier at Louisiana, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

Pete Golding has been Alabama’s defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach for four seasons. Prior to Bama, Golding, a Hammond, Louisiana native, coached at UTSA, Southern Miss, Southeastern Louisiana and more.

Alabama’s defense hasn’t been as stiff as in prior years of the Saban era but Golding’s made improvements over time.

In 2018, the Alabama defense allowed 320 yards per game which was 16th in the country. That was the Tide’s worst defense since 2007. When Pete Golding took over in 2019, his defense allowed 324 yards per game (20th). Last year, the number jumped again to 352 yards per game (32nd), although they did face an all-SEC schedule, plus Notre Dame and Ohio State. 

This season though, Alabama is 20th in scoring defense and seventh in yards allowed per game (294.2). Golding’s defense is second in the SEC after the Georgia Bulldogs.

Golding is not, however, the only coach who could be well-suited for the job. In fact, Golding’s former coach Ron Roberts, is also being considered at Louisiana, according to Rittenberg. Roberts, the current Baylor defensive coordinator, was Louisiana’s defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. Prior to Louisiana, he was a head coach at both Southeastern Louisiana and Delta State.

Rittenberg also named an internal candidate to watch – Michael Desormeaux. Desormeaux is Louisiana’s co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. He played quarterback for Louisiana in the late 2000s before beginning his coaching career at the high school level.

Pete Golding: A chip off the old block

You can trace Pete Golding’s football roots back to his father, Skip Golding.

The elder Golding has been coaching football since 1979. He is currently coaching at Varnado High School in Angie, Louisiana. Golding hopes his 37-year-old son learned a thing or two from his dad over the years. 

“He’s pretty level-headed,” Golding told Paul Finebaum in the preseason. “He’s earned it and he’s handled it pretty good… I’m a high school coach and defensive coordinator in high school in Louisiana for 40 years. I like to think I helped him a little bit.”