Just before kicking off against Mississippi State in the 2016 edition of the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss has announced defensive coordinator Dave Wommack will retire at the conclusion of the season.

Wommack has been Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze’s only defensive coordinator during his five seasons in Oxford.

“I’m grateful to God for more than 38 rewarding years as a college football coach,” Dave Wommack said in a released statement. “I worked alongside remarkable men to shape the lives of my players for the better. I’ll carry with me the relationships and lessons this game has given me as I look forward to enjoying this next chapter with my family.”

With a win in the Egg Bowl, Wommack will have a chance to coach in his 23rd bowl game. He’s been a part of only one losing season in his entire career.

“I am grateful to Dave for the outstanding leadership he provided our student-athletes and the positive influence he was for our staff,” Freeze added in the statement. “I learned so much from him about the coaching profession and will always appreciate his friendship.”

The 2016 season has been an uncharacteristically poor season for the Ole Miss defense, as the Rebels currently rank near the bottom of the SEC in several key defense statistics: 13th in scoring defense, 12th in rush defense, 10th in passing defense, 12th in sacks with only 19 for the season and 12th in total defense.

A replacement for Wommack has yet to be named at this time.