Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding addresses long-term plan for career

For the last five seasons, Alabama’s defense has been finding plenty of success under the leadership of coordinator Pete Golding. After five years, many might be looking at Golding as a possible candidate for head coaching jobs that might soon come open. But in a recent media appearance, Golding made it clear he is in no rush to go anywhere.

“I really don’t get caught up in it, I don’t have it,” Golding said prior to Alabama’s win in the Sugar Bowl. “You know, obviously, I try to be the best coach that I can, the best person I can. I got into coaching to affect young men. You can do that whether you’re a position coach, coordinator, or a head coach. I’m in no rush — I’ve said this before — to be a head coach. You know, I think there’s a lot more to that. I love game planning. I love being in the room with our guys. Obviously, I got to do a better job of putting them in a better position, continue to coach them better so they have a better product on the field.”

While Golding has brought success to the Alabama defense and been part of a national championship win, he has not been perfect. This year was a good example of that. Alabama ranked 14^th nationally in total defense at 318.2 yards per game and 10^th nationally in scoring defense, giving up 18.2 points per game, but struggled in two losses, giving up 52 points to Tennessee and 32 to LSU. That had some fans calling for changes to be made but Golding made it clear he does not want to go anywhere.

Golding says he has no plans of leaving Tuscaloosa anytime soon — at least for the 2023 season. When asked if he was going to return, it was a pretty definitive yes from Golding.

“I’m still under contract, so absolutely,” Golding said.

Golding has been the Alabama defensive coordinator since 2018 when Jeremy Pruitt left in favor of the Tennessee job. Vintage Nick Saban defense is not how you would describe the Crimson Tide since then but it’s nearly impossible to get back to that level with how offenses run in college football these days.

As far as his contract, Golding will have a deal with Alabama until the end of next season. Per the Tuscaloosa News, the defensive coordinator’s deal ends on Feb. 29, 2024. So if Golding is going to be coaching anywhere else next season, Saban will be making the decision himself.

Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report