How a Recruiting Misstep May Have Cost Alabama Arch Manning
Could a single comment during the high-stakes college football recruiting process have kept the Alabama Crimson Tide from landing Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning? Seth Wickersham’s new book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, sheds light on a pivotal moment in Manning’s recruitment that involved former Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding.
According to an excerpt shared with ESPN, the incident took place during a Zoom call between Golding, Manning, and Manning’s high school coach, Nelson Stewart. As Wickersham explains, Alabama faced challenges with Nick Saban’s advancing age and lingering uncertainty about the program’s future. In that intense environment, Golding reportedly launched a pointed remark about Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, referencing his past struggles with alcoholism:
“I love Sark,” Golding said. “He’s my best friend. I hope he can stay sober.”
The comment immediately raised eyebrows. Stewart later called Golding to voice his concern, saying, “Pete, that’s f—-d up!” Golding replied, citing Saban’s pressure to secure Manning: “Daddy’s on me.”
While there’s no guarantee that Manning would have chosen Alabama even without the misstep, the book suggests that the remark may have influenced the star quarterback’s decision-making. Other factors, including Saban’s age and the allure of Texas, also played a role. Golding himself faced personal challenges during this period, including a DUI arrest in early 2022, yet remained in his defensive coordinator role.
Ultimately, Arch Manning committed to the Longhorns, who will start him at quarterback in the 2025 season. Alabama, meanwhile, enters the season with Ty Simpson leading the offense. The episode underscores the high-pressure, cutthroat nature of college football recruiting—and how even a single comment can ripple through a program’s fortunes.
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