Of Alabama’s 10 assistant coaches, none have been in Tuscaloosa longer than Pete Golding. The defensive coordinator will complete his fourth season with the program in the Sugar Bowl on Saturday.

But as assistants come and go, what are his plans and goals for the future? We’ll start with next year.

“I’m still under contract,” Golding said Thursday when asked if he’d be back for the 2023 season. “So absolutely.”

Golding signed a three-year contract in early 2021 that extends through the end of the 2023 season. His $1.735 million earnings in 2022 made him the seventh-highest-paid assistant coach in college football, USA Today reported earlier this month.

Long-term plans are another question.

“I don’t really get caught up in it,” Golding said in his first interview since early August. “Obviously I try to be the best coach that I can and the best person I can. I got into coaching to affect young men. You can do that whether you’re a position coach, coordinator or head coach.

“I’m in no rush — I’ve said this before — to be a head coach. There’s a lot more to that. I love game planning. I love being in the room with our guys. Obviously I have to do a better job of putting them in a better position and continue to coach them better so they have a better product on the field. But, right now, I’m just worried about K-State and getting through this walk-through tomorrow.”

Kirby Smart spent eight seasons as Alabama’s defensive coordinator (2008-15) before leaving as the head coach at Georgia, his alma mater.

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