Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s three-year, $7.85 million contract extension makes him one of the highest-paid assistants in college football.

With an average annual value of $2.616 million, he becomes the highest-paid assistant coach in the Southeastern Conference, On3 Sports reported Thursday.

ESPN reported Friday that Golding’s salary ranks fourth nationally among defensive coordinators after Penn State’s Jim Knowles ($3.1 million), Auburn’s DJ Durkin ($2.7 million) and Southern California’s D’Anton Lynn ($2.65 million).

Golding will earn $2.55 million in 2025, $2.6 million in 2026 and $2.7 million in 2027. The deal includes incentives such as an additional $50,000 if the Rebels win the SEC championship game and $150,000 if they win the College Football Playoff national championship.

Golding, 41, orchestrated a defense that allowed an SEC-low 14.4 points per game during a 10-3 season in 2024. Ole Miss held nine of 13 opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards, finishing second nationally in rushing defense (80.5 yards).

He joined head coach Lane Kiffin’s staff in 2023 after five seasons at Alabama (2018-22), the last four as defensive coordinator under Nick Saban.

No. 21 Mississippi opens the season against Georgia State on Aug. 30 in Oxford, Miss.

–Field Level Media