Hugh Freeze has made a hire at offensive coordinator.
Derrick Nix, who has had multiple stints over 16 years at Ole Miss in roles including associate head coach, wide receivers coach, and running backs coach, will be leaving Oxford for Auburn to serve as the Tigers’ next offensive coordinator.
Freeze announced earlier this offseason that he will call the plays himself — but Nix proved invaluable to Ole Miss not just as a positions coach, but as a recruiter as well.
He’s credited as the primary recruiter for at least three five-star recruits along with over 20 four-stars. His recruiting prowess in the state of Mississippi is well known and will help Freeze and the Auburn staff continue to create inroads in the state.
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Freeze previously worked with Nix during his time at Ole Miss, where he was also calling his own plays. At that time, Nix was the Rebels’ running backs coach.
Current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin released a statement on the departure of Nix to Twitter, expressing his gratitude for Nix for “invaluable contributions and dedication to the success that we have achieved at Ole Miss.”
Thanks to @DerrickDNix for 16 great years. pic.twitter.com/VmpJcagu2V
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 17, 2024
Nix replaces Philip Montgomery, who Freeze relieved of his duties after Auburn’s 6-7 season in which the offense struggled tremendously.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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