In a recent announcement, Auburn University revealed the addition of two experienced coaches to their football staff. Derrick Nix has been appointed as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach, while Kent Austin will take on the role of quarterbacks coach.

Nix, a native of Attalla, Alabama, brings with him a wealth of experience from his 16-year tenure at Ole Miss. During his time at Ole Miss, Nix served as the running backs coach for 12 years before transitioning to the wide receivers coach for the last four seasons. He also held the position of assistant head coach for the past two years. Nix's coaching expertise was instrumental in helping Ole Miss achieve an impressive 11-2 record in the recent season. Under his guidance, the offense ranked among the top 20 in scoring, total offense, and passing offense nationally. Notably, several Rebel receivers excelled under his tutelage, with Tre Harris leading as the fifth highest in receiving yards (985) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (8) in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Joining Nix on the Auburn coaching staff is Kent Austin, who previously served as a special assistant to the head coach/quality control at the university. Austin brings over 30 years of experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. Before joining Auburn, he worked as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Liberty for four seasons. Austin played a significant role in the development of former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis, who achieved impressive passing and rushing statistics during his tenure at Liberty. Prior to his time at Liberty, Austin had successful coaching stints in the Canadian Football League (CFL), leading the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to back-to-back Grey Cup finals in 2013 and 2014.

Auburn head coach, Freeze, expressed excitement over the addition of Nix and Austin to the coaching staff. He commended Nix as an exceptional recruiter and coach with extensive experience in the SEC. Freeze highlighted Nix's understanding of the level of excellence required for success in the league. Additionally, Freeze praised Austin's teaching and development skills as a quarterbacks coach and expressed full trust in both coaches to elevate Auburn's offensive unit to new heights.

The appointment of Nix and Austin reflects Auburn's commitment to revitalizing their football program and cultivating a winning culture. Nix's track record of developing productive running backs at Ole Miss bodes well for Auburn's ground game, while Austin's expertise in quarterback development will be crucial in shaping the team's passing offense. Both coaches bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will contribute to Auburn's pursuit of excellence on the field.

As the new season approaches, the Auburn football program looks forward to benefiting from the rich tradition and coaching prowess of Derrick Nix and Kent Austin. Their respective roles as offensive coordinator/running backs coach and quarterbacks coach will play a vital role in shaping Auburn's offensive strategies and preparing the team for success in the highly competitive SEC. With their recruitment and coaching abilities, Auburn strives to build a formidable team capable of competing at the highest level.