Pete Golding was named defensive coordinator on Wednesday.
CLEVELAND – Pete Golding, a former four-year starter and All-conference safety at Delta State University, is excited to back in the Mississippi Delta. On Wednesday, coach Ron Roberts introduced Golding as the new defensive coordinator for the Statesmen.
"I'm excited to bring coach Golding back to Delta State," stated Roberts. "Pete was an exceptional talent as a player and he's taken that drive and turned it into a dynamic coaching career. He was one of the youngest defensive coordinators in the last two years and I believe he will continue to mold our defense into one of the best in the GSC and NCAA Division II."
Golding served the past two years as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach under Frankie DeBusk at Tusculum College, a member of the South Atlantic Conference. Prior to being named defensive coordinator in 2008, Golding served as defensive backs coach in 2007.
The Pioneers became an explosive and record-setting defensive unit under Golding’s direction. In 2007, Tusculum set a new school record for interceptions with 14 and in 2008 TC lead the SAC in sacks and turnovers forced en route to an appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Pioneers eventually lost to Delta State in the second round 27-19 at Parker Field-McCool Stadium.
"I'm thrilled to be back home. I told coach DeBusk this was one of the toughest decisions of my career, but coming back to DSU was the right move for me," Golding stated. "I want to thank coach DeBusk and Tusculum football for the opportunities they gave me during my time there and wish them nothing but the best. We're going to work immediately to produce a product worthy of being called Statesmen football. I know what it takes to win and I'm ready to get to work."
The Hammond, La., native began his coaching career as a graduate assistant on former DSU head coach Rick Rhoades’ staff in 2006. The Statesmen went 12-3 that season and advanced all the way to the NCAA Division II Semifinals before falling to eventual national champion Grand Valley State.
Golding was a four-year starter for the Statesmen from 2002-2005 at safety, racking up 285 career tackles to rank fourth in school history. In 2004, the former 5-foot-9 free safety garnered All-Gulf South Conference honors after leading the team with 85 tackles with two interceptions and eight pass break-ups. As a senior in 2005, he tallied 81 tackles with five tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Golding graduated in 2005 from Delta State with a degree in health, physical education and recreation.