Derrick Nix was officially announced as Auburn’s new offensive coordinator, a move first mentioned by Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin, as Hugh Freeze found a new play caller.

A native of Attalla, Alabama, Nix spent the previous 16 years at Ole Miss, 12 as running backs coach and the last 4 as the Rebels’ wide receivers coach. For the last 2 seasons, Nix was assistant head coach. At Auburn, he’ll also be the running backs coach.

This past season, Nix helped Ole Miss’ offense was in the top 20 nationally in scoring offense, total offense and passing offense. Three Rebel receivers ranked in the top 12 in the SEC in receiving yards, including wide receiver Tre Harris who had a career-best season as he was fifth in the league in receiving yards (985) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (8).

“I’m really excited to reunite with Derrick here at Auburn,” Freeze said in a statement. “He is an outstanding recruiter and coach who has nearly two decades of experience in the Southeastern Conference. Derrick knows the level of excellence required to be successful in this league and I know he’s looking forward to the opportunity to help develop a winning program at Auburn.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity at Auburn and to get back on staff with Coach Freeze. Having worked with him before, I have a strong understanding of what he wants offensively as well as culture wise,” Nix said in a statement.

In another move, Kent Austin, who served as a special assistant to the head coach/quality control for the past year at Auburn, has been moved to an on-field position as quarterbacks coach. Austin was offensive coordinator for Freeze at Liberty from 2019-22.