It’s been a few weeks since Pete Golding left Alabama for the defensive coordinator job at Ole Miss. Not much has really been said in the aftermath of a five-year assistant leaving for the same job at different school in the SEC West.

A few former Crimson Tide and Ole Miss players playing in this Saturday’s Senior Bowl offered perspective this week in Mobile.

“Surprise,” former Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale said of his initial reaction. “I expected Pete to be around for a while so when I heard the news, I was kinda surprised.”

Golding had one year remaining on his contract with Alabama, a point he made in late December when asked about his future in Tuscaloosa. Before the Sugar Bowl, Golding said he “absolutely” planned on returning to Alabama for the 2023 season.

Defensive end Byron Young, like Dale, spent his entire Alabama career playing under Golding as coordinator.

“You know, it was a surprise to me,” Young said. “I didn’t know anything about it and I hadn’t heard anything about him being gone at any other point. That was his decision and Coach Saban’s decision, I guess to mutually part ways so I hope the best for each party.”

Golding arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2018 as co-defensive coordinator before holding the job solo for the next four seasons.

He now moves over to Oxford to work under another former Alabama coordinator, Lane Kiffin, who led the offensive from 2014-16. Nick Broeker, a three-year starting offensive lineman at Ole Miss was enthused by the hire.

“I think guys are pretty excited about it,” Broeker said. “He’s a really good coach, he has a really good track record and he was obviously successful at Alabama. He’s a good recruiter as well so I think it will be very good for the program to have a guy like Pete Golding around.”

Former Ole Miss receiver Jonathan Mingo shared that sentiment.

“I feel like that’s a good pick up for Ole Miss,” he said. “To bring in a high caliber defensive coordinator like Pete Golding is very good.”

On the other side, ex-Alabama defensive back DeMarcco Hellams admitted he wasn’t following the coaching carousel too closely as he preps for his pro career.

“I support Coach Pete and his decision,” Hellams said. “Coach Pete was a good coach for us, a guy who was really, really good with his relationship that he had with us so I wish the best of luck to him.”

It’s been a few weeks since Golding made the move and Alabama’s yet to hire a replacement. When asked who should be next, Byron Young’s answer showed he was paying attention in his four years in Tuscaloosa.

“You know,” he said with a smile, “whoever Coach Saban picks. He’s done a great job over the last 18 years he’s been there so he’s done a fantastic job so whoever he entrusts with the job is who I think is perfect for it.”

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.