Derrick Nix Reveals Reason For Leaving Ole Miss, Joining Auburn Coaching Staff

Derrick Nix recently revealed why he left the Ole Miss Rebels to join the Auburn Tigers this offseason.

The Ole Miss Rebels lost an assistant coach this offseason in the form of Derrick Nix as he jumped ship to join the Auburn Tigers on The Plains.

Nix had been on staff at Ole Miss since 2009, most recently serving as wide receivers coach and associate head coach. Recently, Nix sat down with the Montgomery Advertiser to discuss why he opted to leave Oxford for Auburn, reuniting with former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze in the process.

New Auburn Tigers football offensive coordinator Derrick Nix, from left, defensive coordinator Charles Kelly and head coach Hugh Freeze are introduced as Auburn Tigers basketball takes on Ole Miss Rebels at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 :: © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

“I’m a believer, and this was a God-led decision," Nix said. "It was just the right time for me and my family. In my mind I accomplished the things I wanted to do at Ole Miss, and if you know Hugh Freeze like I know him, he is a great recruiter too.

“I’m in a position where I’m learning on the go. So to be with a guy like coach Freeze and a (quarterbacks coach) Kent Austin, who I have worked with before, I look at this situation as a place where I can develop and be the best version of myself.”

Rebels' Dart, Harris Ranked Among Best QB-WR Duos For 2024

Nix's vacancy with wideouts was filled by George McDonald earlier this year, a veteran coach who departed his alma mater Illinois to join the ranks in Oxford.

McDonald now pilots one of the strongest wide receiver units in the country, headlined by returning talent like Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins while also adding an eye-catching name in the form of Juice Wells, a transfer from the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Harris and his quarterback Jaxson Dart were also recently named one of the top duos in college football entering the 2024 season, and you can read more about that honor here.