Auburn hires Ole Miss' Derrick Nix as offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin releases statement

Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers are turning to Derrick Nix to join their staff and lead their offense in 2024.

Nix will join Auburn after most recently serving as the Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach with the Ole Miss Rebels. He just completed his 16th season with the Rebels, so he knows Freeze well as he moves to Auburn in 2024.

The news was actually revealed by Ole Miss, through a statement of gratitude from the program to the longtime Rebels assistant from Lane Kiffin.

Thanks to @DerrickDNix for 16 great years. pic.twitter.com/VmpJcagu2V

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 17, 2024

Nix spent 12 seasons mentoring Ole Miss’ running backs as the coach of that position group. However, he’s been with the wide receivers for the last four seasons, and the assistant head coach for the last two.

With the immense talent that’s come out of Oxford on offense over the last couple of seasons, Nix has been highly-praised by his peers. It’ll be a sizable loss for the Rebels, but it’s the Tigers gain, as Freeze lands a major figure on his staff.

More on Hugh Freeze, Derrick Nix to Auburn

Evidently, Hugh Freeze changed his mind on calling plays in 2024, at least according to Ole Miss’ statement. According to reports from earlier this offseason, Freeze was expected to call the offense on game-days in 2024, but perhaps that’s changed.

“Hugh Freeze will call his own plays on offense next season for @AuburnFootball, sources tell ESPN,” Chris Low of ESPN posted. “Freeze looked at a couple of different options after firing OC Philip Montgomery, but is taking over play-calling duties. Auburn was 11th in SEC this season in scoring offense.”

Evidently, Freeze believed he could right the ship that was Auburn’s disappointing offense last season. Auburn finished No. 90 nationally in total offense in 2023 and struggled to find consistent quarterback play. 

They were slightly better in scoring offense, ranking No. 71 nationally, but that mark ranked No. 11 in the SEC out of 14 teams.

Nevertheless, while Freeze made sure to point out he has respect for Montgomery when he announced he was letting him go, it’s evident the Tigers leader believes he can get more out of that side of the ball.

“I informed Philip today he would not be retained as our offensive coordinator,” Freeze said in a statement. “Philip is a good coach and a good man. Decisions like this are never easy, however, I decided this is best for our program moving forward. I’m appreciative of his efforts this past year and wish him nothing but the best.”

Now, it’ll be up to the tandem of Derrick Nix and Hugh Freeze, no matter who the play caller is, to lead the Auburn offense into a new era, one where they hope to be among the best in the SEC.