LOOK: Nix takes reins and Ole Miss goes scrimmaging for first time this preseason

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•08/12/23•

SpiritBen

Ole Miss football on Saturday held the first scrimmage of its preseason training camp.

But it came with a twist.

Lane Kiffin gave way to assistant head coach Derrick Nix as head coach of the Rebels for a day. Nix – a now 16-year veteran of the Ole Miss coaching staff – guided the Rebels for a 24-hour period up to and throughout the scrimmage. 

Kiffin acted as wide receivers coach.

“He became the head coach for a 24-hour period,” Kiffin said of Nix, who has been a head coaching candidate before, specifically at Southern Miss, his alma mater.

“And that was done not as a (public relations) thing. That was really done to give him an opportunity to see what it’s like to learn.”

PHOTOS BY OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Ole Miss associate head coach Derrick Nix served as acting head coach for 24 hours, culminating in the team’s first scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday.
Oklahoma State transfer quarterback Spencer Sanders was back at practice after sitting out earlier this week due to academics.
Former On3 Five-Star Plus+ recruit Suntarine Perkins turned some heads in practice this week.
Cornerback DeShawn Gaddie last week detailed his transfer journey to Ole Miss in a Spirit exclusive.

PHOTOS BY BRUCE NEWMAN

Texas A&M transfer kicker Caden Davis (©Bruce Newman)
Sophomore Rebel kicker Caden Costa (©Bruce Newman)
First-year Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding (©Bruce Newman)
Veteran Ole Miss offensive lineman Cedric Melton (76) (©Bruce Newman)
Star second-year Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins (©Bruce Newman)
Cedric Melton (©Bruce Newman)
Quinshon Judkins (©Bruce Newman)
Veteran Ole Miss offensive lineman Reece McIntyre (©Bruce Newman)
Veteran Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart (©Bruce Newman)
Second-year Ole Miss right tackle Jayden Williams (©Bruce Newman)
Trey Washington (25) forces the turnover, downed by Quinshon Judkins (4) (©Bruce Newman)
Trey Washington (25) forces the turnover, downed by Quinshon Judkins (4) (©Bruce Newman)
Lane Kiffin served as wide receivers on Saturday (©Bruce Newman)
Jaxson Dart (©Bruce Newman)
Pete Golding (©Bruce Newman)
Veteran Ole Miss tight end Hudson Wolfe (©Bruce Newman)
Spencer Sanders (3) looks downfield for Hudson Wolfe (87) (©Bruce Newman)
Micah Pettus was back and practicing after a practice altercation earlier in the week. (©Bruce Newman)

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