Alabama Football: 5 potential replacements for Pete Golding

Alabama football defensive coordinator Pete Golding is now former Alabama football defensive coordinator Pete Golding after taking the same position with division rival Ole Miss.

Golding had his share of critics, but he was one of the best recruiters on head coach Nick Saban’s staff. The Crimson Tide finished ninth in the country, allowing 18.2 points per game.

Golding’s defense struggled against Tennessee’s spread offense and could not finish late against LSU. Much like his embattled counterpart Bill O’Brien, Golding did not do a bad job, but the fanbase — and possibly Nick Saban himself — isn’t crying that he’s in Oxford.

The question now is: who does Saban turn to?

Saban does not want to lose his foothold in Texas and Louisiana, where Golding recruited well. Also, the new defensive coordinator has to replace nine defensive starters/contributors from the defense, including Will Anderson, DJ Dale, and Henry To’o To’o.

Here are five possible candidates to be the new defensive coordinator at Alabama.

5. Charlie Strong, former USF head coach

Charlie Strong might be a long shot, but he is still a viable candidate. Strong made his bones at the University of Florida and was an analyst on Saban’s staff in 2020. The former Lousiville head coach has strong ties in Florida and Texas. Strong succeeded at Louisville but could not repeat that success at Texas or South Florida.

Strong’s ability as a recruiter and coordinator makes him a strong candidate in Tuscaloosa.