Pete Golding was often the target of fan criticism during his four seasons as Alabama’s sole defensive coordinator, but Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin spoke glowingly about how Golding is perceived by other coaches in the industry — including Nick Saban.

“This is a great coach that everyone who has worked with him has always said from the beginning — even when he was at smaller places before that — that he was brilliant, upcoming,” Kiffin said Wednesday. “Coach Saban even talked about it as one of the best interviews he’s ever seen in the first interview, when he interviewed him.

“Just a very unusual situation that someone at the top of their game could get to come here.”

Wednesday’s national signing day news conference marked the first time Kiffin had spoken publicly about Golding, the Rebels’ new defensive coordinator, besides a written statement when Ole Miss announced the hire Jan. 14.

Kiffin called the hire “really awesome” and compared it to star rankings often associated with recruiting.

“That’s as five star as you can get,” he said.

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Golding, 38, was under contract for the 2023 season at Alabama and said two weeks before his departure that he “absolutely” planned on returning.

Kiffin said Golding’s lateral move from one SEC team to another had “nothing to do that you’re beating Alabama and all that” and instead involved personal considerations.

“There were some family things that helped us,” Kiffin said. “His wife’s family is from here. That was great. Kind of like in recruiting, there’s advantages. We’re really excited for him to come, he and his family to be here.”

Golding’s wife, Carolyn, is a Mississippi native who attended Ole Miss. Golding graduated from Delta State in Mississippi and later coached there, and at Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss and UTSA before Saban hired him in 2018.

“[He can] really help us not just on defense, schematically — obviously, like he will,” Kiffin said. “But he’s been a phenomenal recruiter, too, and one that we’ve had to go against.”

Alabama’s defense allowed the ninth-fewest points per game, 18.2, among 131 FBS teams this past season. That ranked second in the SEC behind Georgia at 14.3.

Saban did not hold a national signing day news conference this week because Alabama did not sign any players, and he has not yet spoken publicly about Golding’s departure. Alabama has not yet hired his replacement as defensive coordinator.

Saban said in mid-November that Golding had done a “really, really good job,” even after Alabama lost to Tennessee and LSU.

“He’s very bright,” Saban said. “He articulates well with the players. He’s a good teacher. I think he’s a good motivator. I think players respond well to him. He’s added some things that has helped us get better.

“I think he’s done a very good job with the personnel that we have. I just really appreciate the really good job that he’s done. I think he’s made really positive steps every year since he’s been here. I love hiring younger guys like that and letting them grow and develop in the organization. He’s certainly done a fantastic job of that.”

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.