> At a Glance
> – Pete Golding became Ole Miss head football coach in November 2025
> – His wife Carolyn Golding is an Ole Miss faculty member with three degrees from the university
> – The couple donated $100,000 to the Patterson School Building Fund in 2024
> – Why it matters: The coaching change brings new leadership to Ole Miss football while strengthening the university’s academic- athletic connection
When Pete Golding accepted the head coaching position at Ole Miss in November 2025, he wasn’t just advancing his career-he was reuniting his family and returning to a place where his wife had already established roots.
From Alabama Coordinator to Ole Miss Head Coach
Pete spent time as the defensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide before making the move to Mississippi. His decision to leave one of college football’s premier programs was driven by family considerations.
> “You get so locked in sometimes to a career, then you’re focused on the next step,” Pete said in August 2023, according to Saturday Down South. “When you’re married and you’ve got three kids, sometimes you lose the value of what you’re really about.”
> “I enjoyed where I was at, this is strictly based on trying to be a better husband and father,” he added.
Carolyn’s Academic Journey
Carolyn Golding’s connection to Ole Miss runs deep. She earned three degrees from the university:
- Bachelor of Accountancy (2007)
- Master of Tax
- Doctorate from the law school
She began her teaching career in 2015 at the University of Southern Mississippi, later taught at the University of Texas-San Antonio, and returned to Ole Miss as an adjunct instructor at the Patterson School of Accountancy.
Before teaching, Carolyn worked in accounting firms and described her early interest in numbers: “When I was little, I played Monopoly a lot and I always wanted to be the banker to control the money.”
Family Life and Philanthropy
Pete and Carolyn have three children together: sons Braxton and Bentley, and daughter Bailey. The couple met in Cleveland, Mississippi, where Pete attended Delta State University.
While they married before October 2014 (based on Carolyn’s social media post), their exact wedding date hasn’t been confirmed publicly.
The Golding family enjoys Ole Miss game day traditions, with son Bentley particularly excited about seeing fire extinguishers shoot off on the sidelines.
In 2024, Pete and Carolyn donated $100,000 to the Patterson School Building Fund during Ole Miss’s annual Giving Day. In recognition of their gift, an adjunct professor suite in the new building will be named for Carolyn’s family.
Key Takeaways
- Pete Golding left Alabama to become Ole Miss head football coach in November 2025
- Carolyn Goldin holds three degrees from Ole Miss and teaches accounting at the Patterson School
- The couple has three children who are enjoying the Ole Miss football experience
- Their $100,000 donation to the Patterson School Building Fund demonstrates commitment to the university
The Golding family’s move to Ole Miss represents a rare alignment of professional opportunity and family values, bringing together Pete’s coaching career with Carolyn’s academic role at their shared alma mater.
