Interim Mississippi coach Matt Luke nearly shed a tear during his introductory press conference Monday. Why was he so emotional? According to Luke, he just landed his dream job.

The longtime Ole Miss assistant not only played for the Rebels during his college career, but he is also a school legacy who followed in the footsteps of his father and brother. Having dreamt of this moment for as long as he can remember, Luke was understandably emotional during his first media availability as the program’s leader.

“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be the head coach at the University of Mississippi,” Luke said during the press conference. “I’ve been an Ole Miss Rebel my entire life…I can truly sit here and tell y’all this is my dream job. A job I’ve been preparing for all my life. I feel more strongly than ever that I’m the right man to run this program.”

As it turns out, Luke has more than one reason to be thankful for this new role — he received a hefty raise from Ole Miss.

According to Ross Bjork, the school’s athletic director, Luke’s salary will jump half a million to $1,160,000 to coach the team for the upcoming season.

So much for the rumors attaching Les Miles to the job. Given the fact Ole Miss is handing out raises with fall camp just days away, there’s no chance a move is made to name a full-time head coach in Oxford before the school’s administration has a chance to evaluate what Luke has to offer.