Alabama just made a major move to fill a crucial gap on Kalen DeBoer’s staff - and it’s one that could have ripple effects well beyond the coaching room.
With JaMarcus Shephard leaving Tuscaloosa to take the head coaching job at Oregon State, the Crimson Tide didn’t just lose a wide receivers coach. They lost one of their top recruiters and a key figure in building the kind of explosive passing attack DeBoer wants to unleash in the SEC. So, replacing him wasn’t just about X’s and O’s - it was about finding someone who could recruit at a high level, connect with players, and keep Alabama competitive in a rapidly evolving college football landscape.
Enter Derrick Nix.
According to multiple reports, Nix - most recently Auburn’s offensive coordinator - is expected to take over as Alabama’s new wide receivers coach. And make no mistake: this is more than just a hire. It’s a statement.
Nix brings two decades of experience in the SEC, including a 16-year run at Ole Miss where he wore multiple hats, most recently as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach under Lane Kiffin from 2020 to 2023. He followed that up with a two-year stint as Hugh Freeze’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Auburn. That’s a résumé that checks every box DeBoer could’ve been looking for: experience, recruiting chops, and deep SEC ties.
And those ties run even deeper than just his coaching stops. Nix is an Alabama native - born in Attala - and played his college ball at Southern Miss.
He even coached current Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack back in 2007. So when it comes to understanding the culture, the expectations, and the pressure that comes with coaching in Tuscaloosa, Nix isn’t walking in blind.
But what makes this hire even more intriguing is what - or who - Nix might bring with him.
With Germie Bernard entering the transfer portal and Alabama only signing one receiver in the 2026 class (4-star Cederian Morgan), the Tide’s wide receiver room is in need of reinforcements. And the portal could become a critical tool in restocking that cupboard.
One name to watch closely: Malcolm Simmons.
The Montgomery native and former Auburn receiver has already announced he’s entering the transfer portal. Despite inconsistent quarterback play on the Plains, Simmons turned in back-to-back 450-yard seasons and finished 2025 with a bang - torching Mercer and Alabama for over 140 yards in each of his final two games.
He’s a burner with legit game-breaking speed, and he just so happens to have been coached by Nix at Auburn. That connection matters.
So does the fact that Simmons was a high school teammate and close friend of Cederian Morgan, Alabama’s lone WR signee in the 2026 class.
If Simmons is looking for a fresh start - with a familiar face calling the shots and a more dynamic offense to showcase his skills - Alabama could be a natural fit.
Then there’s the big name: Cam Coleman.
The former Auburn star is one of the most physically gifted wideouts in college football. A Phenix City native with elite tools, Coleman would be a dream fit in DeBoer’s scheme.
But there’s a catch - and it’s a big one. If Coleman hits the portal, he’s going to command serious attention, and likely a serious NIL package.
Whether Alabama is willing - or able - to meet that price remains to be seen. That reality makes Simmons a more attainable (and still highly impactful) target.
All in all, the addition of Derrick Nix is a savvy move by DeBoer. It strengthens Alabama’s staff, reinforces their recruiting presence in the region, and potentially opens the door to some much-needed talent additions at wide receiver. The hire checks every box on paper.
Now, we wait to see if it brings some playmakers with it.