OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach on Sunday, announcing the move shortly after Lane Kiffin's departure for the top job at LSU when his wish to coach the Rebels in the postseason was denied.

Athletic director Keith Carter said Golding would guide the sixth-ranked Rebels (11-1) “into the College Football Playoff,” which will release its 12-team bracket on Dec. 7. The announcement followed days of negotiations with Kiffin, who chose LSU over staying in Oxford.

“Coach Kiffin and I met yesterday, and he informed us that he is accepting the head coaching position at another school," Carter said. “For our program to begin preparing for its future – both the short and long term, he will be stepping away from the team immediately.” Golding,

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