How LSU HC Lane Kiffin kept eye on Pete Golding after he replaced him at Ole Miss

How Lane Kiffin kept an eye on Pete Golding 

Kiffin said Golding immediately began using the house when he left for Baton Rouge in November. He then checked his Ring camera (a home security system) to watch over his former defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach. 

"He can't be wherever it was this recruit's house, he's on my couch," Kiffin said whenever his staff speculated Golding was visiting a high school player it was also targeting. "I just saw him walk in." 

Kiffin added: "I told him afterwards, you might want to change the Ring camera."

Though Kiffin was ensuring that Golding felt comfortable in his new home, it was wise to advise him to uninstall the Ring camera. He wouldn't want Ole Miss supporters, some of whom are still angry about the coach's departure, to accuse him of spying. 

Kiffin accepted the LSU job just before the start of Ole Miss' College Football Playoff run. The school reportedly denied his request to coach in the postseason. Golding then replaced him, leading the Rebels to the semifinals, where they lost to the Miami Hurricanes 31-27.

After finishing 13-2 in 2025, Ole Miss should remain in CFP contention in its first full season under Golding in 2026. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (3,937 yards passing in 2025, No. 3 in FBS) and running back Kewan Lacy (1,567 yards rushing in 2025, No. 3 in FBS) are returning, a big win for the Rebels. 

LSU went 7-6 last season but is expected to rebound in its first season under Kiffin, who has already found his guy at the most important position. This offseason, the Tigers added former Arizona State Sun Devils QB Sam Leavitt, who threw for 4,513 yards and 34 TD passes over the past two seasons.

The Tigers-Rebels matchup should be among the most anticipated SEC games this upcoming season. Ole Miss hosts LSU on Sept. 19 (ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET). Perhaps Kiffin can swing by his old crib that week and catch up with Golding.