Pete Golding is embracing the high expectations for Alabama’s defense

Photo by Kent Gidley of Alabama Athletics

Alabama football is expected to return to its dominant standard on defense.

No one knows this better than Pete Golding.

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He enters his fourth season with the team and third as defensive coordinator. Golding dealt with injuries in 2019, but the unit did improve in 2020. However, Crimson Tide fans have not seen a fearsome defense since 2017. This year, Alabama returns marquee players on defense.

According to Golding, the Tide has nine starters back and talented freshmen that are prepared to compete for roles.

Nick Saban spoke highly of Henry To’oto’o at SEC Football Media Days. The transfer from Tennessee is projected to be an impactful linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He is competing against Jaylen Moody for the starting middle “Mike” linebacker position, and Alabama fans expect him to win it. During Sunday’s presser, Golding took his opportunity to talk on To’oto’o.

“We brought in a transfer, that from a leadership standpoint, is above and beyond anything I’ve ever had,” Golding said. “The familiarity that he’s already had with this defense, coming where he’s from, it has been good for us.”

To’oto’o learned from Jeremy Pruitt in his two seasons with the Volunteers. Pruitt, a Saban disciple, may have different terminologies for plays, but the concepts are the same. To’oto’o recorded 148 tackles and 15 tackles for loss at Tennessee.

He had to teach himself the defense as a true freshman, but Will Anderson knows his role now.

After earning Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American honors, the sophomore is prepared to do more damage to quarterbacks in college football. Golding said ‘consistency’ and ‘anticipation’ are areas for Anderson to improve in. He created negative plays last season, but Golding wants to see Anderson be more consistent in stopping the run. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder understands more about what to do as an outside linebacker. Anderson is set to be aggressive no matter where he is on the field.

He is excited about all the freshmen, but Golding has been impressed with Kool-Aid McKinstry.

“He’s is a very talented kid,” Golding said. “He’s got the length we want, he has the short-area quickness, he can run, and he has top-end speed. He has ball skills. The most impressive thing about him in spring was him coming up and putting his face on you. A lot of guys are hesitant, but he is more physical. He understands the game. He does process things very well. If he can get the consistency, he will be a good player.”

Phidarian Mathis, a fifth-year senior, told reporters at SEC Media Days that Alabama’s defense will be elite.

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The 2017 group was the last one of the Saban era that held opponents under two touchdowns per game (11.9). Aside from winning, Golding said the most important thing on defense is not giving up points. Despite the landscape of college football favoring offenses, Golding said the standard for the Crimson Tide is holding teams to 13 points or less.

“To be No. 1 in the country, which is the standard at Alabama and the reason I took this job, we have to keep teams out the end zone,” he said.

Golding stressed the importance of being No. 1 in the nation. He wants more than just dominating the SEC on defense.

He addressed the need for Alabama to create more turnovers, finish tackles, communicate better, and finish plays on third down.

People want to see the Tide in full force on defense. Golding knows this and is making sure this group is back on top.

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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.