An intriguing defensive coordinator option could unexpectedly be available if Josh Heupel decides to make a change at Tennessee
Plenty of fans are calling for Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel to make a change at defensive coordinator.
The Tennessee Vols’ defense struggled to find consistency in 2025, falling far short of expectations after a strong showing in 2024.
Some of that was due to injuries. The Vols were without cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson — two of their top defensive players — for basically the entire season (Gibson was injured in the season-opener against Syracuse while McCoy missed the entire season with a torn ACL).
Injuries, however, weren’t the only reason for the Vols’ defensive struggles. Tennessee didn’t tackle well in 2025, and the Vols were seemingly out of position far too often (perhaps due in part to the lack of a clear identity on defense).
Coaching staff continuity is important, but Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel will have to decide this offseason if it’s time to shake things up with his defensive coaching staff.
An intriguing defensive coordinator option could unexpectedly be available if Josh Heupel decides to make a change at Tennessee
I’m not calling for Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks to be fired. I don’t have enough insight into Tennessee’s defensive process to responsibly say that’s the move that should be made. That’s a decision Heupel will need to make.
But if Heupel makes a move at defensive coordinator, and I certainly think that’s on the table after the way things went in 2025, there’s an unexpected option that could be available.
CBS Sports’ John Talty reported on Sunday that Ole Miss Rebels defensive coordinator Pete Golding isn’t expected to follow Lane Kiffin to LSU.
Ole Miss had the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation in 2024 and the No. 26 scoring defense in 2025 under Golding.
Golding is a well-liked and respected defensive coordinator who’s had success in the SEC. His resumé isn’t spotless — Vols fans will likely be quick to point out that he gave up 52 points to Tennessee in 2022 while he was the defensive coordinator at Alabama — but he’s only 41 years old and he’s still improving and growing as a coach.
The Louisiana native has deep SEC recruiting ties, and he’s worked for Kiffin and Nick Saban. He understands the SEC and he has a national championship as a defensive coordinator at Alabama on his resumé.
Now, I don’t know what Golding’s plans are in this coaching cycle. Maybe he’ll be in the mix to replace Kiffin at Ole Miss. Or maybe he has his next move in mind already. But if he’s available, and if Heupel deems him a good fit, he could be a championship caliber upgrade for Tennessee.
It’s tough to predict how all of this will play out. This coaching cycle has been insanely chaotic. Heupel, though, would be wise to be aggressive if he chooses to make a move.
I’m not saying Golding is the surefire answer — no hire is a sure thing in college football. But he’s one of several interesting defensive coordinator options that could be a fit for the Volunteers this offseason.
Update:
It looks like Ole Miss is going to make Golding their permanent head coach.
Tennessee Volunteers News
The biggest reason the Tennessee Vols came up short in 2025 sounds like an excuse, but it’s not
Tennessee Vols fans don’t want to hear excuses after a blowout loss at home to the Vanderbilt Commodores.
