Alabama to hire former Auburn OC Derrick Nix as new receivers coach

Alabama is reportedly set to take one of the most coveted assistant coaches in the country off the market, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. The Tide are expected to tap Derrick Nix as the program’s new receivers coach.

Nix has accumulated plenty of SEC experience over the years. He has been in the conference since 2008, when he started out as the Ole Miss running backs coach.

He would hold that post from 2008-19 before transitioning to new roles within the program. Nix was moved to receivers coach for the Rebels from 2020-22, then was tabbed associate head coach in 2023.

From there, Derrick Nix would head to Auburn, joining Hugh Freeze‘s staff in 2024. He served as offensive coordinator and running backs coach there.

Nix began his coaching career in 2003 at Southern Miss, where he also starred as a player. After becoming the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 1998, Nix would go on to earn first-team All-CUSA honors in 1999 and 2002.

Following his playing days, Derrick Nix quickly went into coaching, taking a graduate assistant position with the Golden Eagles in 2003. By 2004 he had moved to the full-time tight ends coach, and by 2006, he had gone on to coach the running backs.

Hirings a sign Kalen DeBoer is staying put?

While Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has seen his name tossed around for the Michigan opening following the firing of Sherrone Moore, he has maintained that he’s perfectly happy at Alabama. Is hiring staffers like Derrick Nix a sign he’s settled in for the long haul? It certainly could be.

DeBoer is currently preparing the Crimson Tide for its first College Football Playoff appearance during his tenure. On Monday, DeBoer discussed how the rumors tying him to Michigan affected his team’s concentration.

“Outside of knowing that there was a question or two I think at the end of last week, it’s been non-existent,” DeBoer said. “I mean, it really has. Our guys are focused on Oklahoma. They really are. I mean, that’s what we’ve been completely focused on. I haven’t seen anything other than that. Again, these guys deal with noise and they know that that’s what it is. What’s internal is what matters.”

On3’s Grant Grubbs also contributed to this report.