There is no record or announcement of Ole Miss Head Coach Pete Golding resigning. Contrary to the headline, all recent official communications and news reports indicate that Golding is fully engaged in leading the program. He has been actively making major announcements regarding roster construction, navigating NCAA investigations, and preparing for the 2026 season .
Here are the key developments currently surrounding Coach Golding and Ole Miss football.
### 🏈 The Big Announcement: A Top-Tier Transfer Portal Class
While he hasn’t resigned, Coach Golding’s most significant “announcement” has been delivered through action: the completion of a massive roster overhaul. Golding and his staff have successfully added **29 transfers** for the 2026 season, a class ranked **No. 2 in the nation** by 247Sports .
This influx of talent addresses nearly every position group and sets a new foundation for the team. Key additions include:
* **Quarterback:** Former five-star Auburn quarterback **Deuce Knight** joins as a key backup to star returning QB Trinidad Chambliss .
* **Wide Receiver:** The Rebels reloaded at receiver with transfers like **Darrell Gill** (Syracuse) and **Johntay Cook** (Syracuse) .
* **Defense:** Impact players added include Baylor linebacker **Keaton Thomas** (103 tackles in 2025) and Georgia safety **Joenel Aguero** .
* **Offensive Line:** The line was bolstered with four transfers, including highly-rated tackle **Carius Curne** from LSU .
### ⚖️ Off-Field Developments: NCAA Investigations
Coach Golding is also at the center of two significant NCAA-related storylines, though neither has resulted in a resignation.
* **Tampering Allegations:** Golding’s program faces scrutiny over allegations of tampering related to the transfer of linebacker **Luke Ferrelli** from Cal. The situation drew public comments from coaches like Dabo Swinney and even legendary coach Steve Spurrier. The NCAA has since issued a memo stating it will pursue “significant penalties” for tampering violations, indicating that the matter is under active review .
* **Donor Funds Investigation:** The NCAA is reportedly investigating the Ole Miss football program over alleged misuse of donor funds for recruiting. An unconfirmed report claims an anonymous booster paid a recruit $150,000. As head coach, Golding is subject to the NCAA’s “head coach responsibility” rule and could face penalties—such as suspensions or recruiting restrictions—if a violation is found .
### 📈 The Road Ahead for Golding
Despite these investigations, the mood in Oxford is focused on the future. The team’s run to the College Football Playoff semifinals under Golding’s leadership has solidified his standing with the fanbase .
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the expectations are high. With a reloaded roster and a full offseason to implement his vision, Golding’s challenge will be to prove that the team’s success can be sustained without former coach Lane Kiffin. His first major test will come early in the season when the Rebels host Kiffin and his new team, the LSU Tigers .
I hope this clarifies the current situation with Coach Golding and Ole Miss. Would you like more details on any of these topics, such as the specific transfer players or the tampering allegations?
