The Alabama Crimson Tide lost one of its top recruiters when Pete Golding decided to move on to Ole Miss and take a job as the Rebels’ defensive coordinator.
Many Alabama football fans displayed major excitement after news broke Golding was moving on to Mississippi Friday due to the lack of dominance on the defensive side of the football during his tenure. However, there should not be much excitement from a recruiting perspective that Golding is gone. There is also no real reason to worry at the moment.
Golding was an ace recruiter during his time in Tuscaloosa. He is credited with helping Alabama sign eight five-star recruits, including multiple top recruits out of Louisiana. Recruits would often praise his ability to build a relationship with them and connect with them, often calling him “Coach Pete.” Those relationships went a long way with those prospects and their families.
Alabama’s freshman wide receiver and Louisiana product, Shazz Preston’s father spoke highly of Golding the moment he found out about the news via Twitter.
“I’ll just say this….From a “Parent Perspective” ….In ten years, how a coach treated and grew my sons will mean wayyy more than wins/losses. Pete has been a STAND UP GUY ALWAYS AND A HELLUVA BALL COACH…..That’s my tweet. #recruithisassofftoo”
I’ll just say this….From a “Parent Perspective” ….In ten years, how a coach treated and grew my sons will mean wayyy more than wins/losses. Pete has been a STAND UP GUY ALWAYS AND A HELLUVA BALL COACH…..That’s my tweet. #recruithisassofftoo https://t.co/06rLaGAhp8
— Shawn preston (@Shawnpreston25) January 13, 2023
With Golding moving on, the Tide will have to get another coach on board who is familiar with recruiting in Louisiana, Mississippi and surrounding areas. Alabama looks as if they are already headed in that direction with the hiring of Southern Miss’ defensive coordinator Dustin Armstrong. Golding is moving on, but he is not leaving the SEC West, which means he becomes a foe for Alabama on the recruiting trail as well.
The Tide will undoubtedly have to battle it out with Golding in Mississippi and Louisiana, which are areas he has had major success in.
Fortunately for Nick Saban and Alabama, they have been here before. There have been several coaches come into Alabama, put the script A on their chest and develop into great recruiters. Only time will tell if Alabama’s next defensive coordinator will be able to do it at the level Golding did.
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
