Nick Savage may be staying in the SEC. The former Florida strength coach is reportedly a candidate for the position at Ole Miss, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz.

Savage worked with Dan Mullen from 2014-21. He joined Mullen’s Mississippi State program as an assistant strength coach in 2014 and became MSU’s head strength coach in 2016. Savage followed Mullen to Florida.

Gator players publicly campaigned for Savage to remain at UF, but new head coach Billy Napier hired Mark Hocke for that same position.

Defensive lineman Zach Carter was one of the players who spoke out about wanting Savage to stay.

“Because of how much Coach Savage means to us. Coach Savage, we spend the most time with him because he’s our strength coach. So Coach Savage has a lot of close relationships with us and he really takes the time to get to know players and he really pours into the players,” he said, per Rivals. “So, as y’all see, a lot of guys are tweeting today about keeping Savage. He’s had a big impact on a lot of players here and former players. So guys around here love Coach Savage.”

But it wasn’t meant to be and now Savage is free for Lane Kiffin to pursue to come to Oxford. We’ll see if Savage finds himself on the other side of the Egg Bowl rivalry.