Pete Golding has a short memory when it comes to criticism.
Since coming to Alabama in 2018, Golding has endured a lot from Crimson Tide fans as a defensive coordinator.
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In his fourth season, the 37-year-old eyes a second national championship. Alabama suffered a loss to Texas A&M, but it ran the table to the College Football Playoff. Golding’s defense allowed seven points to Georgia in the second half of a 41-24 victory for Alabama in the SEC title game.
The Tide surrendered 21+ points only once (Arkansas, 21) since the TAMU matchup.
As a Louisiana native, Golding keeps a fresh perspective. He knows that he will not be in the coaching profession long if he listens to the critics.
The definition of an “elite” defense has changed in college football, but Golding has the Tide respected among its peers. Alabama ranks in the top-20 nationally for scoring defense (20.2 ppg, No. 18) and stands in the top-10 for total defense (306.1 ypg, No. 8), rush defense (82.8 ypg, No. 4), third-down defense (31.9 conversion rate, No. 9), and sacks (46, No. 3).
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Golding has produced Alabama’s first 100+ tackler in Henry To’oto’o (102) since 2015. Will Anderson is eight tackles shy (92) of giving the Tide its first duo of 100+ tacklers of the Nick Saban era. Christian Harris, a native of Baton Rouge, La., has spent three seasons with Golding as his position coach.
As a junior at inside linebacker, Harris said he ‘trusts’ in Golding as a coach.
10/2/21 MFB Alabama vs. OleMiss
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Photo by CrimsonTidePhotos
“At the end of the day, Pete is a great coach,” Harris said. “I came in never playing this position before, and throughout these three years, he has done well developing me. He still does it to this day, so he’s a great coach. I appreciate what he’s done for us.”
Harris has struggled at points, but he’s played his best football late in the year. The 6-foot-2, 232-pounder totals 68 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble. He intercepted a pass off Notre Dame’s Ian Book in the 2020 Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal) at AT&T Stadium. Harris’ efforts helped the Tide to a 31-14 victory.
He looks to create another marquee memory in Friday’s meeting with Cincinnati.
We will see how Golding attacks Desmond Ridder and the Bearcats’ offense.
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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.
