Alabama Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding Released From Jail After DUI Arrest, Apologizes

Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding was released from the Tuscaloosa County jail on Thursday afternoon after posting a $500 bond following his arrest early Thursday morning on a charge of driving under the influence in Northport, Alabama.

Golding, 37, was arrested at approximately 1 a.m. Thursday. The Alabama coaching staff had concluded the recruiting period on Wednesday with the second national signing day for the class of 2022. Golding is considered one of Alabama's best recruiters among the assistants.

"I am deeply sorry for the actions that led to my arrest last night," Golding said in a statement through his attorney, Jason C. Neff of Tuscaloosa, on Thursday afternoon.

"I sincerely apologize to my family, everyone in our organization, including our players, coach Nick Saban, the staff, the University of Alabama, and our fans," Golding said. "Regardless of the outcome of this pending investigation, I did not uphold the values I have for myself and the values of the Alabama football program. I am committed to learning and growing from this mistake, and I will work to earn back the trust of those who I have disappointed.”

The University Alabama also released a statement Thursday afternoon through the athletic department's sports information department.

“Alabama athletics is aware of the incident involving Pete Golding," the statement said. "We are mindful of the seriousness of the situation and will continue to gather more information to address this personnel matter.”

Golding just finished his fourth season as Alabama's defensive coordinator.

The Crimson Tide finished No. 7 in the nation in total defense in the 2021 season with 304 yards allowed a game. Alabama reached the national championship game before losing 33-18 to Georgia.

Alabama's 2020 defense finished 32nd nationally with 352 yards allowed a game. Golding's defense was No. 20 in 2019 (324 yards) and No. 16 in 2018 (319 yards) after inheriting the 2017 No. 1 defense in the country (260 yards) from defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who left to become Tennessee's head coach.

A Hammond, Louisiana native, Golding came to Alabama after two seasons as defensive coordinator at Texas-San Antonio. He was Southern Mississippi's defensive backs coach in 2014-15.

After playing safety at Delta State in Cleveland, Mississippi, from 2002-05, he was a graduate assistant at Delta State in 2006. His first full-time coaching job was as the defensive coordinator at Tusculum College in Tennessee from 2007-09. He was Delta State's defensive coordinator in 2010 and '11.