Former ESPN star blasts Ole Miss after Pete Golding revealed as Lane Kiffin’s chosen successor

Joel Klatt revealed that Lane Kiffin is leaving the Ole Miss Rebels as they prepare for the CFP to take the LSU Tigers head coaching job. He questioned whether Lane Kiffin should be able to coach Ole Miss in the CFP after taking the LSU job.

The closely watched drama in the college football world finally reached its conclusion. Lane Kiffin, the head coach at Ole Miss for the past six years, boarded a flight for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sunday.

Kiffin was formally introduced as LSU's next head coach Monday. Ole Miss quickly responded to Kiffin's exit by elevating Pete Golding from defensive coordinator to head coach. 

While Kiffin’s exit sparked considerable backlash, former ESPN host and current sports commentator and podcaster Bomani Jones turned his focus to the coach’s handpicked successor.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pete Golding before a game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Georgia Bulldogs Oct. 18, 2025, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.   (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jones lambasted Golding's performance during his stint as Ole Miss' defensive coordinator. He also floated a theory about Golding's appearance.

COACH WHO LEFT OLE MISS TO JOIN LANE KIFFIN AT LSU WILL FINISH SEASON WITH REBELS

"I had known him by name. I saw a picture of him and was like ‘There’s no way that man is a head coach,'" Jones said.

Bomani Jones Nov. 4, 2021, in Atlanta.  (Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Netflix)

Golding has coached for nearly two decades, but this will be his first opportunity to lead a football program that competes in a Power Four conference.

Kiffin coached the Rebels to victory over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl rivalry game Friday to secure an 11-1 record for Ole Miss.