America's collective sports fandom has a new target, and it's not who you'd expect: Lane Kiffin. And, surprisingly, it's all thanks to a man who hates pickleball.
This is an opinion piece, so let's dive in.
It seems that Pete Golding, the new head coach at Ole Miss, has become the unlikely embodiment of what many fans value. He's a down-to-earth, Southern guy, and he's made it clear that he won't be swayed by trends like yoga or, heaven forbid, pickleball. Golding's attitude is resonating with a lot of people.
"I'm not changing who I am," Golding stated firmly. "I ain't changing what the hell I wear or going to yoga or playing pickleball. I ain't doing any of that [stuff]. I am who I am.”
Golding, a man who prefers tennis, is not a fan of meditative stretching and new clothes. And the author, along with many others, is suddenly finding themselves rooting for him and his team in the College Football Playoff. It's a sentiment many can relate to.
But here's where it gets controversial... is this just a collective desire to see Lane Kiffin, the former coach, fail? After all, Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU, abandoning his team.
The nation seems united in its dislike of Kiffin. It's a feeling of universal revenge. When Ole Miss triumphed over Tulane, the crowd's chants of "Pete! Pete! Pete!" were a testament to their support and relief.
Golding stepped into a difficult situation when he took over. Initially, he was expected to be the interim coach. However, the school quickly named him the permanent head coach, and the fans and players have rallied around him.
Many, including the author, didn't see Golding as a future head coach in the SEC. Yet, here he is, working hard and proving them wrong. While his long-term success at Ole Miss is uncertain, the journey is sure to be exciting.
Golding's words after being named head coach reflect his approach: "We’re going to roll... We’re going to do this thing the right way. I’ve done it a long time around a lot of good people and we’re going to give it our best shot and see what happens.”
And this is the part most people miss... While the team faces a tough challenge against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, the author secretly hopes for an upset. It's not just about the game; it's about the shift in the team's dynamic.
Georgia defeated Ole Miss earlier this season, but that was Kiffin's team. Golding's team has a new energy that is winning over fans across the country. The author, who once criticized Golding, has since changed their tune.
Golding's past includes a low point at Alabama, where he faced criticism for the team's defensive performance and a DUI arrest in 2022. However, this is a new chapter, and America loves a redemption story. Golding has embraced his new role, and the fans in Oxford are rallying behind him.
Golding is pretty much the opposite of Kiffin in every way. Kiffin tried to convince everyone that he had changed, while Golding is making it clear that he hasn't. But the SEC can change people, and it's something the author has witnessed many times.
Kirby Smart, the head coach at Georgia, is said to have become more reserved. Kiffin likes to talk about how hot yoga changed his life. Other SEC coaches have been known to use Botox and dye their hair. But not Golding.
Golding, in the author's eyes, is a man who knows that pickleball is the Woke Left’s evil plan to destroy the backbone of America.
What do you think? Are you rooting for Ole Miss? Do you agree with the author's assessment of Golding and Kiffin? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
