Alabama football has identified its next wide receivers coach, turning to a familiar name within the region. The Crimson Tide is expected to hire Derrick Nix, most recently Auburn’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach, to replace JaMarcus Shephard, according to sources.
A native of Attalla, Nix has spent more than 20 years coaching across the South, working with wide receivers, running backs and tight ends at Southern Miss, Ole Miss and Auburn. He was with the Tigers from 2024 to 2025, coaching Jarquez Hunter to a first-team All-SEC season after a 1,201-yard rushing campaign. Following Hugh Freeze’s dismissal in 2025, Nix took over play-calling duties for November.
In three games as Auburn’s offensive caller, Nix guided the Tigers to 38 points against Vanderbilt, 62 against Mercer and 20 against Alabama, including a season-best 353 passing yards versus Vanderbilt.
Before Auburn, Nix spent 16 seasons at Ole Miss, including four years coaching receivers from 2020 to 2023. In his final season, three Rebel receivers topped 700 yards, led by Tre Harris, a future second-round NFL draft pick. During his tenure, Nix also coached NFL talents Jonathan Mingo and Elijah Moore, with Moore earning consensus All-America honors and Biletnikoff Award finalist recognition in 2020.
Earlier at Ole Miss, Nix coached running backs from 2008 to 2019, helping develop players such as Dexter McCluster and Brandon Bolden. His coaching career began at Southern Miss, his alma mater, where he rose from graduate assistant to tight ends and running backs coach.
As a player, Nix was a standout running back for Southern Miss, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors in 1998 after rushing for 1,180 yards. He recorded three 1,000-yard seasons and was later inducted into both the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Southern Miss Athletics Hall of Fame, earning the nickname “Baby Bull” for his strength and determination.
Nix also shares close ties with Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, who has known him since childhood due to their shared Southern Miss connections. Wommack previously praised Nix’s offensive leadership, noting improved execution and an effective approach that maximized player strengths and produced explosive plays.
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