Alabama made the news of Derrick Nix joining the staff official Wednesday.
The ex-Auburn offensive coordinator will coach receivers for the Crimson Tide after JaMarcus Shephard departed for Oregon State. Shephard is now the head coach there.
As part of the announcement, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer shed some light into why he made the decision to hire Nix.
“Derrick Nix adds extensive SEC experience to our group – both in coaching and on the recruiting side,” DeBoer said in a statement. “He’s very familiar with our current coaches, and he’s also an Alabama native who understands the state, its fans and the passion surrounding Alabama football. I’m excited to add Derrick to our staff, and I know he can’t wait to get to work.”
The Attalla native has been a staple in the south as an assistant coach for two decades. He has coached receivers, running backs and tight ends over his time with Southern Miss, Ole Miss and most recently Auburn.
“I am truly honored and excited to be a part of the gold standard in college football – The University of Alabama,” Nix said in a statement. “The rich tradition and great championship history in Tuscaloosa is second to none. I am thankful to Coach DeBoer for an opportunity to be on this great staff, and I am ready to go to work. Roll Tide!”
Nix spent two seasons with the Tigers from 2024-2025. During his first year, he coached Jarquez Hunter, who earned a spot on the All-SEC first team after rushing for 1,201 yards. In 2025, once Hugh Freeze was fired, Nix became the offensive play caller for the month of November.
Over his three games as play-caller, Nix led the offense to scores of 38 points against Vanderbilt, 62 points against Mercer and 20 points against Alabama. Auburn passed for a season-high 353 yards in the loss to the Commodores.
Prior to his two years at Auburn, Nix worked as an assistant coach for Ole Miss for 16 seasons. He spent four seasons, from 2020 through 2023, coaching Rebels receivers.
He is a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Southern Miss Athletics Hall of Fame, among other accolades. Nix was nicknamed ‘Baby Bull’ “for his power and determination,” reads the entry for his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.
