Alabama Football Hires Pete Golding as an Assistant

University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced the hiring of Pete Golding on Friday to serve as a defensive assistant for the Crimson Tide in 2018.

Golding comes to the Crimson Tide after coaching defensive backs and handling the defensive coordinator duties at the University of Texas-San Antonio the past two seasons.

“We are pleased to have Pete and his family join our staff at Alabama,” Saban said. “Pete is an exciting young coach, who has an outstanding reputation as both a teacher and recruiter. He will be a great fit in our organization with his knowledge of the game and his ability to relate to student-athletes. We are thrilled to welcome Pete and his family to Alabama.”

Golding’s 2017 defense ranked seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing just 287.8 yards per game. The Roadrunners also finished eighth in scoring defense (17.0 ppg), second in first downs defense (166) and 19th in pass efficiency defense (112.19). UTSA’s improvement during Golding’s tenure was evident, as the Statesmen allowed 156 less yards per game and 16.8 less point per game in 2017 compared 2015.

“I have always had an incredible admiration for The University of Alabama and the organization Coach Saban has built in Tuscaloosa,” Golding said. “Words can’t express how excited I am to have the opportunity to work for Coach Saban – it just doesn’t get any better for a defensive coach. There is such a rich tradition of success around this program, and I look forward to contributing to that success moving forward.”

Golding joined the UTSA staff after spending two years as an assistant coach at Southern Miss where he coached the safeties. The Golden Eagles posted a six-win improvement in his second season, finishing 9-5 overall and winning the Western Division of Conference USA.

He was the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Southeastern Louisiana for two seasons (2012-13). Golding helped guide the Lions program to a school-record 11 wins and its first conference title (Southern) since 1961. Prior to his time in Hammond, he was the defensive coordinator at his alma mater Delta State in 2010-11, leading the Statesman to the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship Game and the Gulf South Conference title.

He also spent three years on staff at Tusculum coaching the defensive backs while coordinating the defense the final two years. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Delta State in 2006 after starting four seasons at safety for the Statesmen (2002-05).

A native of Hammond, La., Golding and his wife Carolyn have two children, Braxton and Bentley. Golding graduated from Delta State in 2005 with a degree in business.

All such employment contracts are subject to approval by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.