Ole Miss Coach Pete Golding Defends Ties with LSU’s Lane Kiffin Amid Tampering Talk

At the SEC media days in Tampa, Florida, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding addressed rumors about his relationship with former Ole Miss boss Lane Kiffin, now LSU head coach, and responded to allegations that the Rebels pursued Clemson linebacker Luke Ferrelli in violation of NCAA rules. Golding emphasized a friendly personal rapport with Kiffin while denying any wrongdoing in the Ferrelli case.

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Golding was promoted to Ole Miss head coach after Kiffan’s departure to LSU during the Rebels’ unexpected College Football Playoff run last season. He inherited a near-complete offensive system and, with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and tailback Kewan Lacy returning, the team is projected as an SEC title contender. Both players ultimately re-signed with Ole Miss after Golding’s discussions about legacy and loyalty.

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Golding described his daily contact with Kiffin as “the highlight of my day,” noting that he even purchased one of Kiffin’s former Oxford homes. Regarding the NCAA’s probe of the Ferrelli recruitment, Golding asserted that investigations target the player and anyone involved, not a single school. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has labeled the Rebels’ pursuit a “straightforward case of tampering,” a claim Golding dismissed as unfounded.

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• “Lane and I are great, man,” — Pete Golding, ole miss coach

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• “He's still got another one for sale, but I bought one of them,” — Pete Golding, ole miss coach

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• “Who are you going to use?” — Pete Golding, ole miss coach

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• “I don't think there's any way to single me out because when they come in, they're investigating the player and anybody that was involved in the player,” — Pete Golding, ole miss coach

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