Ole Miss has fired Matt Luke, according to Rebel Grove’s Neal McCready. Others have also confirmed the news.

Luke was hired as the permanent head coach for the Rebels following the 2017 season after being the interim head coach. The Rebels finished with a 4-8 record in 2019, and he was 15-21 overall in three seasons, including 6-18 in the SEC.

Luke became the interim head coach in 2017 after Hugh Freeze was forced to resign. He finished 6-6 his first season and was named the permanent head coach.

Most recently, Luke’s Rebels lost to Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl 21-20 in embarrassing fashion. Wide receiver Elijah Moore caught a touchdown pass with four seconds remaining, and he committed a bad personal foul penalty for excessive celebration. The dog pee fire hydrant penalty cost the Rebels dearly, as kicker Luke Logan missed the extra point from the 18-yard line.

The Rebels waited to fire Luke until Sunday night, and indications pointed to Ole Miss keeping Luke for 2020. However, those plans abruptly changed.

Luke played center at Ole Miss from 1995-98, and he was an assistant coach for the Rebels multiple times throughout his coaching career.