Pete Golding Keeps a Defensive Cornerstone: DL Coach Randall Joyner Stays in Oxford

OXFORD, Miss. — Continuity remains a cornerstone of Pete Golding’s early blueprint at Ole Miss, and that message was reinforced with the program securing Randall Joyner to a new contract this weekend, ensuring one of the Rebels’ most respected and influential staff members remains in Oxford.

🤞🏽🙏🏽 No place I rather be!

Looks we going to have 2 children from Oxford! @trimieshajoyner #SpotTheBall pic.twitter.com/fIyvbvZRjk

— Randall Joyner (@LetsGo_Bo5) December 13, 2025

Joyner, who has been a key figure within the Ole Miss program, officially finalized a new deal under Golding as the Rebels navigate a pivotal transition period — one that includes a College Football Playoff appearance and the foundation of a new era of leadership.

For Golding, the move is both strategic and symbolic.

From the moment he was elevated to head coach, Golding emphasized stability, retention, and people as non-negotiables. Locking in Joyner aligns directly with that philosophy, keeping an experienced voice in the building and preserving institutional knowledge that players and staff trust.

Joyner has long been viewed as a steady presence within the program, known for his ability to connect with players, develop talent, and uphold standards inside the locker room. In a time when college football rosters and staffs can change overnight, his return provides a sense of familiarity — something Golding has repeatedly said matters deeply to players who were recruited into a specific system and culture.

The timing of the agreement is notable. Ole Miss is preparing to host its first-ever College Football Playoff game, while also navigating the modern realities of roster management, recruiting retention, and staff alignment. Golding has been clear that while long-term changes will come in 2026, the immediate priority is protecting what this team has built — and that includes the people responsible for building it.

Keeping Joyner in Oxford also sends a message beyond the walls of the Manning Center. To recruits, current players, and families, it signals that Ole Miss is committed to continuity and stability, even amid change at the top. That message has been echoed throughout Golding’s first weeks as head coach, from staff decisions to public remarks centered on preparation and accountability.

As the Rebels push forward into postseason play and beyond, Joyner’s new contract represents another step in Golding’s effort to blend consistency with progress — ensuring Ole Miss isn’t just reacting to change, but intentionally shaping what comes next.

With momentum on the field and alignment off it, the Golding era continues to take form — one deliberate move at a time.