GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Assistant football coach Pete Golding has been named the new defensive coordinator at Tusculum College announced Pioneer head coach Frankie DeBusk. Golding replaces Lance Royal, who stepped down from his coaching post after eight seasons at the Greeneville, Tenn. school.

Golding, a native of Hammond, La., becomes one of the youngest defensive coordinators in the nation at age 23. Golding joined the Tusculum staff in 2007 where he coached the defensive backs and also served as Director of Football Operations. He will continue to coach the defensive secondary, along with his coordinator duties. He will also handle the day-to-day tasks as Director of Football Operations.

"I've been very impressed with the job Coach Golding has done for us in his short time at Tusculum," said DeBusk. "Pete provides a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the coordinator position and I'm very happy he has accepted this challenge."

During this past season, he coached Jeremy Thompson, who earned First Team All-South Atlantic Conference recognition. Tusculum finished second in the league in turnovers caused (29) and interceptions (14).

In 2006, Golding served as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, Delta State University. He was responsible for the nitro and diamond backs in the Statesmen secondary and worked alongside former Tusculum defensive coordinator and now Delta State skipper Ron Roberts. Golding also served as the recruiting coordinator at DSU.

"I'm very eager and excited about getting started and can't wait for February 21st (first day of spring practice) to get here," said Golding. "I've had the privilege to play for a fine head coach (former DSU skipper Rick Rhoades) and to work under some great coordinators in using our current defensive system (8-man front). I'm grateful to Coach DeBusk and to Tusculum for this opportunity."

At Tusculum, he has coordinated the recruiting efforts in Southeast Tennessee, East Georgia, South Florida, Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi and Louisiana.

In his lone season on the DSU staff, Golding and the Statesmen posted an impressive 12-3 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals.

Golding lettered four years at Delta State (2002-05) and earned All-Gulf South Conference honors in 2004. During that 2004 season, he finished 40th in the country with 14 passes defended. The Hammond, La. native ranks amongst the all-time career leaders in games played (42) and career tackles. In 2005, Golding recorded 81 tackles, including five for loss. He also intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles.

During his collegiate career, his teams posted a combined 26-17 record, including 9-2 in 2003. Golding finished his career with nine interceptions, including four picks during that 2003 campaign. He also amassed experience on special teams as a return specialist. In his final season, he averaged 13.1 yards on punt returns.

Golding earned his Bachelor's degree in Business from Delta State in 2006. He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association.