Former assistant coach Derrick Nix has been hired by Auburn as the Tigers' new offensive coordinator and will also assume the role of running backs coach. This announcement came via a press release from Ole Miss rather than from Auburn itself.

According to the statement released by the Rebels, Nix will be responsible for calling plays for Auburn, marking the first time in his career that he will take on this role. It is worth noting this specific phrasing because Nix's contract with Ole Miss included a buyout clause if he were to leave for an offensive coordinator position without playcalling responsibilities.

As of Wednesday morning, Auburn has yet to officially announce Nix's hiring. It was previously reported that former head coach Hugh Freeze would take over playcalling duties and have a more significant role in the offense for the 2024 season. The exact division of responsibilities between Freeze and Nix remains unclear.

Nix is expected to also take on the position of running backs coach, following the departure of former coach Carnell "Cadillac" Williams last week. During Freeze's tenure at Ole Miss, Nix served as the running backs coach. Prior to joining Auburn, Nix held various positions at Ole Miss since 2008, including running backs coach, wide receivers coach, and associate head coach.

Nix had been considered a candidate for the offensive coordinator role at Auburn when Freeze initially joined the coaching staff at the university. However, Freeze ultimately chose to hire Philip Montgomery, the former head coach of Tulsa, as he desired a more experienced coach to handle the offense while he focused on recruiting. Nix, lacking experience as an offensive coordinator, did not fit that criteria.

However, the Montgomery era at Auburn did not meet expectations, with the team ranking among the bottom 10 nationally in passing yards per game in 2023. Montgomery was subsequently fired on January 5.

Following Montgomery's dismissal, it was reported that Freeze sought to take a more hands-on approach to playcalling and running Auburn's offense with the current roster, rather than focusing on recruiting for the future. It was also reported that Kent Austin, the special assistant to the head coach, would be promoted to quarterbacks coach to align with Freeze's increased role in overseeing the offense. However, Auburn has not yet confirmed whether Austin will indeed take on the position of quarterbacks coach.

In his previous coaching roles at Ole Miss, Nix has been credited with helping develop standout offensive players in the SEC, including wide receiver Elijah Moore, as well as running backs Dexter McCluster, Brandon Bolden, Jaylen Walton, Jordan Wilkins, and Scottie Phillips. Nix's running backs groups at Ole Miss achieved top-three rankings in rushing within the SEC on three occasions.

Auburn's decision to bring in Nix as the new offensive coordinator and running backs coach signals a strategic shift in the team's approach to offensive playcalling and development. Fans and analysts alike will now eagerly await Auburn's official announcement and further details on how Nix and Freeze will collaborate to revitalize the Tigers' offense in the coming seasons.