Nix named D coordinator at Ole Miss

Dec 12, 2007 - 4:18 AM OXFORD, Mississippi (Ticker) - Ole Miss football coach Houston Nutt raided the staff of a Southeastern Conference rival to strengthen his own.

Nutt announced Tuesday that former South Carolina defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has decided to leave the Gamecocks and coach Steve Spurrier to serve as defensive coordinator on Nutt's first staff with the Rebels.

Nix, 35, has been one of the youngest defensive coordinators in Division I college football for the past seven years, running the defense at Southern Miss - his alma mater - and most recently South Carolina.

"Tyrone Nix is one of the up-and-coming, bright defensive coordinators in America," Nutt said. "I love the fact that he has a deep connection with the state of Mississippi. He has a great name in this state, has recruited the state and knows the high school coaches. Tyrone is also an excellent teacher and knows how to relate to young men."

This year, Nix's Gamecocks unit was No. 1 in the SEC and ranked fifth nationally in pass defense, allowing just 168.8 yards per game. In 2006, South Carolina was sixth in the SEC and 29th in the country in scoring defense, surrendering 18.7 points per game.

"Tyrone Nix is a good person, a wonderful family man and an outstanding football coach," Spurrier said. "We wish him the very best at Ole Miss except when they play the Gamecocks. We understand change is part of the coaching profession and hopefully this will be a good move for everyone. I can say to the Gamecocks that I will try my best to hire a proven, outstanding defensive coordinator."

Nix graduated from Southern Miss in 1995 after a standout career as a linebacker and team captain. During his 10 years on the Southern Miss staff, Nix coached every position on defense and served as defensive coordinator the last four seasons, when the Golden Eagles' defense was among college football's toughest.

From 2001-03, Southern Miss was ranked in the top 15 in the nation in both scoring defense and pass efficiency defense each season.

"My family and I have had a wonderful time here in Columbia, South Carolina," Nix said. "I've had an opportunity to work for one of the best head coaches in the game and I've learned a lot of football from him.

"Change is a part of this profession and I think the best thing for me at this time is to go work for the University of Mississippi and see what we can get done there. It will be great to be closer to home."