For the second time this season and first time since August, Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding will speak to reporters Thursday.

Golding’s 3 p.m. CT news conference in New Orleans comes before the Tide meets Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.

Check back here for live updates as Golding speaks:

— “We’re excited to be back in New Orleans,” Golding said, noting he’s a Louisiana native who has always been a fan of the Sugar Bowl. “They’ve done an outstanding job this week entertaining our players.”

— Golding said Kansas State is talented and does a “great job schematically.”

— Asked about his experience at smaller schools and if he coached against running backs like Deuce Vaughn, Golding said the size of skill position players is smaller at lower levels. “He’s a Sproles-type,” Golding said. “He’s special with the ball in his hands.” He said it’s a “matchup issue” when Vaughn is used as a receiver. “Covering him out of the backfield is going to be a challenge.”

— Asked to assess his performance this season, Golding said he is always looking back to see what he can do better. “Obviously I think every day I try to improve on the previous day, and look at it, and evaluate it … and try to coach the hell out of it.”

— Asked what it’s like to be Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator for four years and how he’s lasted in that job, Golding said Saban is a “great boss. … It’s black and white. It’s detailed out in what the expectations are.” Golding said there is “no gray” and “you hear it every day” if the job is not being done right. “It has been a really good experience for me.”

— Asked if Alabama’s defense is too complex, Golding said he is always looking how to “simplify things.” Golding said as a coach, he wants his players to be in the best position possible, and there is a fine line between being too simple and predictable, and being too complex and risking miscommunications.

— Golding said Jihaad Campbell and Shawn Murphy have taken advantage of the extra bowl practices at inside linebacker. Golding said Campbell’s athletic ability has never been an issue, but he’s “trained his eyes” for the position.

— Golding said Alabama’s defense does not typically get what they’ve seen on tape from offenses. Most of the formations they see are unbalanced or pushed to the boundary.

— Golding indicated Deontae Lawson will play Saturday in the Sugar Bowl.

— Asked about K-State’s quarterbacks Will Howard and Adrian Martinez, Golding said there are more run-first quarterbacks throughout the season. “I don’t think they change, schematically,” Golding said.

— Golding said K-State has a “lot of good players that play within the system. … They’re really at taking what you’re giving them.”

— Asked about Will Anderson’s decision to play in the game, Golding said he is the “heart and soul” of the defense, and the mentality starts with Saban. “I know we’re not where we want to be right now,” Golding said of playing in the Sugar Bowl.

— Asked for his goal within coaching, Golding said he does not get “caught up” in that and tries to be the best coach he can. “I’m in no rush to be a head coach,” he said.

— Asked what happened against Tennessee, Golding said Alabama needed to contest every play and there were uncontested plays against the Vols. “Getting all 11 guys on the same page was a big piece,” Golding said, and players needed to step up and make plays when they needed to, and the other team did that in those two losses. “We had the opportunity in both of those games to win the game in the fourth quarter and didn’t,” he said. “Obviously we’ve all learned from that.”

— Asked if he plans on being at Alabama next season, Golding said, “I’m still under contract, so absolutely.”

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