TRANSCRIPT: Pete Golding Details Spring Progress, Game-Week Transition as Ole Miss Nears Finish Line

OXFORD, Miss. — As Ole Miss moves into the final stretch of spring practice, head coach Pete Golding believes the foundation has been laid. Now, the focus shifts to execution. Speaking with media Tuesday, Golding outlined a program beginning to take shape — one transitioning from installation to preparation, as the Rebels simulate game-week structure while continuing to evaluate a roster filled with new faces and emerging contributors.

Question: I know you’ve got one more full week after this week or so, just do you feel like you what you wanted to accomplish, you’ve accomplished this spring with how you’ve been kind of changing it to fit what you want this program to be?

Golding: Yeah, I think so. I mean, up to this point, we went really slow, got the foundation on all three phases. This week we’re actually transitioning to what a game week looks like, trying to get them in those routines and understanding what it’s going to look like. And then also with the new coaches getting the feel of what game planning, what the schedule is. And then obviously we’re game planning each other, which I think is really important from self-scout moving forward into the summer. So, you know, simulating the physicality, kind of like we talked about last week in isolated scenarios to try to stay injury free the best that we can and then working the situation. So today was base down, short yardage and goal line, which allows us to get other packages in and make sure we’re using our pieces effectively.

Question: Is there a position group that you think has shown the most growth over these last few weeks?

Golding: I think there’s been several. Obviously, you got so many new guys, there’s so many new spots. And so obviously the more that they play, the better that they get, the more comfortable that they get. So I think the linebacker room has really come on. I think the front, the pieces that we’ve added are starting to really understand it. I think the receiver room is improving with every practice that we get, the understanding of the offense and being able to play fast with tempo. And so I think, you know, a lot of multiple groups have improved.

Question: You said you’re transitioning into a game week. Under a Pete Golding staff, what does that kind of look like? Is it more film oriented or just what is it like?

Golding: No. So we bring them in on Sundays instead of Mondays, put the previous game to bed, get a workout in, make sure we see from an injury standpoint exactly where we’re at. Monday is their day off, get the week started right academically and everything like that allows the coaches to build a game plan on Monday. And then Tuesday we come back in and we work base downs, implement the short yardage goal line plan with special teams in the kicking game, kickoff and punt, and then we’ll come back on Wednesday with a third down, red zone emphasis and then be able to clean up our base downs. And then we’ll go into our Thursdays, which is a complete mental sweat, all meetings and walks, and then come back Friday and play the game, you know, as far as the Fast Friday and work backed up over the field into low red and the goal line and hit all those scenarios. And then make sure, you know from a script standpoint that we’re in situations that can occur in the game, last plays and things like that. And then obviously you’d have your Friday night meetings and then go into a game.  So the only thing that we’re not actually going to do is play the game. So it’s a little unique this week because from a scout team standpoint, you’re just playing the opposing team, right? So we’re playing each other. So but we’re still breaking up into scout periods. So the guys right now that wouldn’t be on a travel roster if we were to play this week, have a sense of urgency and feel and know exactly where they’re at. And so prior to this week, it was really important to have player evals and let them know what they’re doing well, what they’re not doing well. What’s the plan of improvement this week? And if we were to go to play Florida on the road and it’s a 74 man travel roster, this is what it’s going to look like right now. So you better wake up and get to work. So it’s been really good as a staff as well, to make sure we’re going through all of our personnel and everything and getting depth charts to where we’d be right now and making sure we’re using our pieces effectively from packages and all those things. So it’s been good.

Question: Small rabbit hole. I hope you don’t mind, but have you seen the new five-in-five eligibility proposal being floated? And I guess just curious if you have any thoughts one way or the other on the prospect of that.

Golding: Yeah, I mean, obviously it’s been talked about for a long time, so we’ll see if it comes to fruition. I think the concept’s a great concept where you’re not, hey, here’s four games and then here’s the nine game component of it. So I think it allows guys to come in, am I red shirting, am I not red shirting to really develop, quit focusing on all those things. And I’m sure they’re looking at it from a litigation standpoint. So, the model makes sense.

Question: This wasn’t what I was going to ask, but I was curious when you brought it up. When you were at Alabama, you were an afternoon practice team, right?

Golding: Yep.

Question: When you came here, it was morning. Did you find that you liked the morning better or was there some advantages to that?

Golding: Well, I’ve been at other places that we did a.m. As well. So I think there’s pros and cons to both. A lot of it’s based on your core curriculum of your institution, you know, how can you get guys graduated faster and is that coordinated afternoon or in the morning? But I love it. You know, as a coach, it took me a while at other places I’ve been at to get used to it, because when you’re an afternoon team, you’re used to the build up of getting to it. And when you’re starting first thing with them at 7:30 in the morning, you got to have your X*&^ together and you got to be ready to roll. So the sleeping piece of it, right, was a transition earlier in my career. But I think you got to be, you know, really time on task and have a really good schedule. But it allows you to have some good balance in the evenings for dinner with family and things like that. But I love it from the players perspective because they come in, hopefully go to bed a little earlier than normal. They come in, knock it out, and then by noon every day, you know, they’re on to their academic calendar. And then obviously they come back on their own and get extra things and clean up and things like that. So I love the model.

Question: You guys lost a lot of receivers out of that room from a year ago, draft and otherwise. What have you seen from Johntay Cook specifically in terms of how much of an impact he can make this season?

Golding: Yeah, I mean, obviously he’s played a bunch of football, which I think is really, really important. So when you’ve been in multiple systems, like he has been to three different schools prior to this, like there’s a lot of same as, you know, we might call it red, they call it blue, but it’s the same stuff, you know, so from a football standpoint, they come in a little ahead of the curve. But I think the tempo component of it and things like that obviously has been a transition for him. But I think those guys that have played a lot of football, it’s a lot easier to come in and adapt and be able to say same as. But he’s just really special with the ball in his hands. And so I think JDB and them do a good job of scheming them open and getting the ball in space as an extension of the run game. And there’s some one on one scenarios that they like versus safeties and backers that are advantageous for us. So I think number one is experience number two, short-area quickness, right. Rack ability, right? Ability after contact. I think he’s almost like a back with the ball in his hands. And then you still got the man concept. If he’s one on one with a safety, right, that could be a matchup problem from a vertical standpoint. So a lot of versatility in his game.

Question: With the return of Lacy obviously in the running back room. Who are some other players this year specifically in the spring that have have shown some promise, uh, backing up Lacy for you?

Golding: Yeah, I think all three that we brought in, you know, have flashed. And that’s kind of what we talked about, you know, last week, (Michigan State transfer) Makhi (Fazier) is doing really well. He’s got really good balance and body control and really good patience. Unless the block is set up, can burst through the hole. I think, you know, (LSU transfer) JT (Lindsey) is just a different athlete than most of them. Probably one of the more explosive players on the team as far as top end speed and vertical jump and all that from an explosive standpoint. And he’s got hands out of the backfield. So I think there are several of those guys that complement really well to Lacy, but they’ve all flashed at times, to be honest with you. And same thing with Shekai (Mills-Knight) I think Shekai is starting to understand it and play at the tempo that we want him to and become a little more consistent. Because size speed ratio with him is different. And so he’s starting to come on as well and starting to flash a little bit.

Question: You said this spring that you wanted cornerbacks and defensive backs that had man coverage ability. You said that multiple times. What have you seen this spring that lets you know that it’s kind of on the right track? And who has stood out this spring?

Golding: Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, we talked about this last week a little bit with the DBs. There’s flashes of ‘there it is, right.’ There’s patience at the bottom of the route. You know, there’s playing big at the top of the route and playing the ball in the deep part of the field. And then there’s the next snap. And you’re pinning your hip and you’ve got bad eyes. So there’s flashes of like, ‘hey, we can do it. You know, we just got to do it more consistently.’ Like I said last week. And the best thing is, is I think creating the right matchups in spring is really, really important because sometimes you get a false sense and you’re going, you know, one D versus two O. And those matchups aren’t going to be what Saturday looks like. And so I think they’ve done a good job in one on ones in making sure we’re putting real guys on real guys that are concerned speed issue standpoint. And so I think Kite has continued to improve, the consistency of the effort snap in and snap out has to continue to improve. I think that’s the one thing sometimes with stability and systems, guys get comfortable. And so I think that’s really important from a recruiting standpoint that you’re bringing in elite players on a consistent basis that they get pushed. So he’s got to continue to pick it up. And I think today was a little better for him. You know, Jay, has been the same thing. There’s been flashes of an SEC experienced corner that’s played at a high level. Obviously not concerned about the system standpoint of the mental piece of it right now, right, that’s why we’re still doing one on ones, even in a game week, to really make sure we’re challenging them. And hey, it’s good on good and go cover the guy. So he’s flashed as well, but it’s got to consistently still improve on that. And then, you know, to me, probably, you know, the biggest surprise I say surprise just being 18 in the SEC is extremely hard. But Dorian Barney probably has been the most pleasant surprise of his maturity and his patience and his understanding and his instincts. And he’s a size speed guy as well that I would be shocked if he didn’t have a significant role at some point.

Question: We’ve asked a lot about how certain players have adapted to their new role or, you know, become more leaders. How have you become a better leader through this process, being head coach and maybe how you adapted to your new role as head coach through this spring?

Golding: I mean, that’s probably a question for those other guys, you know, to be honest with you. But, you know, I think obviously having a good plan and being prepared, I think is part of your job. I think clarity is very important in everything. I think communication and open lines of it is really, really important. And I’ve just always been a dude that I treat people like I want to be treated and I treat everybody with the same amount of respect until they give me a reason that I can’t trust them. And so I think we got a really good staff and, obviously, you know, I’m heavy on their input on a lot of different things. They have a lot of different experiences at different levels, that we use. And I think that’s going to continue to improve. But that’s a question for them.

Question: I know it’s not uncommon for guys to go to a lot of different schools now, but going back to Johntay, do you have to evaluate a guy who is on his fourth school differently?

Golding: You know, so like, I think that’s my benefit of having been division two and IAA, like we were in this transfer market way before there was a transfer portal, you know, because back in the day you could transfer down and be immediately eligible. So we lived in this model for a long time. And those were normally our best players. And a lot of the times they were a reason they were transferring to division two or 1AA is they didn’t do right where they were at, and some of them that was multiple different spots, you know? But I always feel like if guys really love football, they really love football and they realize, ‘Holy shit, this is my last shot.’ They’ll change. If they don’t love football, then they won’t, in my opinion. And there’s nothing that you could do whether you take their money or take football away from them because it doesn’t matter to get them to change behavior. But over the history of being D2, IAA, and even mid-major, like we’ve had a lot of success with guys that have made bad decisions at other places, and they’re on their last opportunity to really be able to focus in and lock in and try to increase their value because they know it’s their last shot. So I think you got to be really smart. If the kid loves football, has got a high football IQ that could come in and process it in time. Knowing you’re rolling in the dice a little bit on some of the flags, obviously, that have occurred at other places. And then I think a lot of those are what was that, you know, was it a maturity issue? Right. And none of us are perfect. We’ve all made plenty of mistakes and I’ve made more than most. So a lot of the times I can relate because I’ve been there and done that probably. And I think that’s the best thing about the SEC, the amount of resources that you have to provide to help in whatever the issues have been. So, to me, I’m not worried about it as long as they love football.

Question: At the end position, how have you seen new guys like Purchase and Maldonado a) just acclimate to the system and then b) just individually grow this past month?

Golding: Yeah, I think coach has done a really good job with that group. There’s two guys again that you mentioned that that have come and played a lot of football and I think the transition probably for Purchase more than anybody has been the easiest based on very similar schemes, on playing the same position, doing a lot of the same things. So there’s been a lot of same as for him, but, that dude’s a pro man. He reminds me so much of Anfernee Jennings that we had at Alabama. That’s just tough, competitive. He loves football. He’s super smart. And so I think he’s got a super bright future. So it’s been really nice. Very rarely, in my opinion, do new guys come in and have the leadership ability immediately because they’re so focused on, ‘man, I got to learn what to do,’ right? They kind of come in and take in the surroundings and try to adapt and kind of fit in, but that’s just not how he’s wired. But he does it the right way, man. He works his ass off and practices extremely hard, and he leads by example, but he’s got the maturity and the experience right to bring these young guys with him. And I think it’s super beneficial for the Landons of the world and the Treys of the world and all these young guys in there to see a guy prepare the right way and practice the right way, and also treat people with respect, has been really, really good.

I think Maldonado is continuing to improve every day. I mean, there’s flashes like he so reminds me of Davenport that we had at UTSA at times of corner and his length and made a huge pick-six today, just a three step throw just elevates. He’s six-five already and picks up and takes it to the house so athletically he’s got a skill set that’s very, very unique. He’s continuing to become comfortable in the scheme, but (Coach) Kitchens is doing a really good job with that group.

Question: One thing I don’t think we’ve got a chance to bring up with you is what’s it been like working with the new GM, Austin Thomas, and building that relationship and I guess philosophy a little bit.

Golding: There’s a lot of history, obviously, with Austin. You know, when I worked with Frank (Wilson) at UTSA, Austin came in and really helped set up all of our recruiting department and all that. And that was kind of my first real interaction with him and seeing him work wasn’t working for us, but really came in on behalf of Frank and got us kind of off the ground and rolling and I was super impressed with how organized he was and his plans and attention to detail and all that. And then his little brother actually worked for me for a while and then, you know, when I came here in 23, he was already the GM here. And so I was able to work with him already and see him in that role and just really admired, you know, his organization and how he treated people. And he’s got a really good football mind from an organizational standpoint and from recruiting and player development and all that. So always had a lot a lot of respect for him. Thought he’s always done a really, really good job everywhere he’s been. But you know, to me it was the comfort zone at that position. I wanted a dude that i could really, really trust, that’s a good human being, right? That’s had a lot of experience in this league and doing it at a high level. So, yeah, I love everything about Austin.

Question: Just going to check in on the quarterback room, see how Deuce Knight is acclimating as a backup quarterback, and then any other names of that room that folks might be interested in?

Golding: Yeah, I mean, I think it’s a very unique group and I think they complement each other really well. I mean, obviously Trinidad coming back and then, you know, you have Walker Howard who’s been in the system, right. That went out of the system again and then came back that understands exactly what we’re trying to accomplish. Really smart, understands what the defense is trying to do and what to get into, what to get out of and where to go with the football. So it’s really nice to have a veteran guy in there that’s been in this system, you know, to help with Trinidad from a leadership standpoint for the young guys.

I think Deuce has continued to flash. Obviously a real problem in plus-one runs with his size and speed and they’re doing a good job offensively creating some of those issues. So, had some big runs today. I think he’s getting better at delivering the football and making good decisions, which will continue to come with time and then I think AJ as well, you see the flashes of AJ and then it’s the consistency of playing the position snap in and snap out. And you know there’s one thing about you know when you start going good on good, especially up front, some of those guys that are blocking for them probably aren’t going to be on Saturday. And some of those time responses don’t look the same. So the evaluation of that position sometimes is a little tough based on who’s at O-line, to be honest with you. So, I think they’re all in. I think Joe does a great job with that group, but I’d say they’ve all flashed. They’re all continuing to get better, which they need to. Appreciate it fellas.

Final thoughts

With spring practice winding down, the picture inside the Manning Center is becoming clearer. Roles are beginning to solidify, competition remains active across the roster, and the early framework of Golding’s vision is taking hold. The next phase will come in the summer, but for now, Ole Miss is focused on finishing spring the right way — building habits, sharpening execution, and continuing to move one step closer to the standard Golding expects.