Ole Miss' Dane Stevens to become one of the youngest coordinators in the country at West Georgia
Ole Miss senior analyst Dane Stevens has been an integral part of the offensive success in Oxford, Miss., the last two seasons. Now, he will get a shot at cultivating his own brand as the new offensive coordinator at West Georgia. And one of the youngest, to boot. The 27-year old will be charged with bringing the “score from far” mentality at Ole Miss to Carrollton, Ga.
“I’m so excited to be the Offensive Coordinator at West Georgia,” Stevens told OMSpirit Tuesday. “I felt that it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down. We’re going to bring an exciting brand of offense there.”
Stevens, who is originally from Kennesaw, Ga., filled the quarterback analyst vacancy two years ago left by Matt Holecek who accepted the same role at Oklahoma. Stevens spent the previous three seasons as a graduate assistant in Los Angeles. He worked with the quarterbacks in 2018 and 2019 after a season with the tight ends, alongside former Ole Miss tight ends coach John David Baker.
Despite the young age, he is already a veteran in the coaching space. Stevens was the main reason five-star EDGE Mykel Williams committed to USC while on staff in Los Angeles. He was also a key cog in Jaxson Dart‘s maturation as the starting quarterback for USC in 2021 and then after as a Rebel.
Stevens was instrumental in his evolution from true freshman to the main guy under center, helping the former four-star throw recruit for 1,353 and nine touchdowns in six games.
Jaxson Dart and Ole Miss set records in 2023.
The Rebels were the only program with three receivers with 700 or more yards receiving and Dart had his best year yet. The Stevens pupil finished the year, throwing for 3,364 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also ran for 391 yards and eight more scores.
Behind Dart, former LSU signal caller Walker Howard and four-star wunderkind Austin Simmons wait in the wings. Stevens had a hand in both recruitments and worked closely with both each and every day.
“I’m very appreciative for everyone at Ole Miss,” Stevens said. “It was a privilege to be a part of such a special season and winning 11 games for the first time in school history. Coach (Lane) Kiffin, coach (Charlie) Weis, and coach (John David) Baker have had such an impact on me.”
West Georgia finished 6-4 this season in its first year at the Division I level.
The newest member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, effective July 1, 2024, will be part of the United Athletic Conference, which is an alliance between the ASUN and the Western Athletic Conference.
West Georgia has been a force in the Gulf South Conference of NCAA Division II since 1983, winning two football championships and at least one title in eight other sports during the same span. Additionally, West Georgia has produced six NCAA Division II regional titles in five different sports since 1998.
Stevens, a Georgia native, was an offensive lineman at Mt. Paran Christian School (Ga.) before walking on at USC as a first-year freshman in 2013. He eventually became a student assistant coach from the spring of 2014 through the fall of 2016.
