Alabama football defensive coordinator Pete Golding spoke to media after the third Tide practice.
The Alabama football defense may be more Nick Saban’s than it is Pete Golding’s. Internally to the Crimson Tide program that makes distinction matters. Externally, it does not matter at all. The 2019 Alabama football defense was below Crimson Tide standards. Crimson Tide fans and more than a few football pundits blame Golding.
Alabama football coordinators have one preseason press conference. Some coordinators may want more exposure. We doubt Pete Golding is one of them.
Does the often malignant Golding deserve all the blame thrown his way? He does not. He was not responsible for the circumstances that pushed two real freshmen linebackers into starting roles. The blame for no elite edge rushers in the roster should at least be shared with other staff members, including Nick Saban.
It does not matter where debt should be distributed freely, Pete Golding should take the heat. The finished product of the Alabama football defense is his responsibility. On Thursday night, he spoke with Alabama media after the third Crimson Tide practice of fall camp.
Highlights from Pete Golding’s remarks
- ‘I took this job because I wanted to coach the best defense in the country. That’s the expectation and I do not want it otherwise. ‘
- “We have an obligation to the coaches who came for us to meet the standard.”
- “Our standards will not change. Our expectations will not change just because we do not have a springboard “
- After last year, the defense has “a chip on our shoulder”
Players Golding discussed
- Golding said it’s great to have Dylan Moses back “running”
- In the linebacker group, Golding credited Chris Allen and Ben Davis for showing leadership, saying the pair have been like “coaches on the field.”
- In comments about SEC competition requesting two lock-down corners, Golden expressed confidence in Patrick Surtain II and Josh Jobe.
- Golding praised Jordan Battle and named Ronald Williams is in the mix as the Star, nickel cornerback.
- Golding also mentioned how well LaBryan Ray and Christian Barmore are doing.
Watch the full video below.
Golding said the right things on Thursday night. He did not take a step back from the burden of his responsibility. Instead, it turned out that he really enjoyed it.
Sarkisian was a tough action for Golding to follow. His resume does not come close to Sark, but he has a lot of passion and Alabama football fans should remember that Nick Saban was sold on him.
