Derrick Nix’s late-season surge at Auburn did more than give the Tigers a jolt in 2025. It also helped point Alabama to the coach it wanted when a vacancy opened on the staff.
When Auburn dismissed Hugh Freeze, Nix took over play-calling duties and immediately steered the offense through its best three-game run of the season. Auburn piled up 563 yards against Vanderbilt, 547 against Mercer and 411 against Alabama. It was the only stretch in 2025 when the Tigers crossed 400 yards in three straight games.
That jump stood out to Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer.
“Their offense then all of a sudden takes this big leap,” DeBoer said Wednesday on his radio show. “We know we’re going to play Auburn at the end of the year. That’s something I took note of.”
Not long after, Alabama needed a new receivers coach when JaMarcus Shephard left to become Oregon State’s head coach. DeBoer already had Nix on the radar.
“There was a number of guys on our staff that had familiarity and had coached with him,” DeBoer said. “Just raved about what he was.”
That led Alabama to hire Nix, and DeBoer used Rico Scott’s description of the coach on Wednesday to explain why the move fit.
“A great coach but an even better person,” Scott said. “Low ego.
The dude has been coaching football for over a decade and still anytime something comes up with a play, he’s very receptive. Anytime me or (Ryan Coleman-Williams) or (Lotzeir Brooks) has a question.
We’re telling him what we’re seeing on this play. That’s helped me.”
Scott has turned into a reliable target under Nix and a willing blocker, too. He has 16 catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns this season, after finishing the entire 2025 season with 11 receptions for 98 yards and two scores.
Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks have also taken steps forward. Coleman-Williams has scored a touchdown in three straight games entering the matchup with Georgia, something he hadn’t done since the first half of his freshman year. He leads Alabama with 20 catches for 376 yards and four touchdowns.
Brooks has added to a strong finish to 2025 as well, with 21 receptions for 352 yards and one touchdown.
“(Nix) emphasizes being a student of the game, no matter how long you’ve been playing or coaching,” Scott said. “There’s always more to learn. I think that’s been the biggest learning piece that he’s continued to teach.”
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Ngoys path is unusual even by modern college basketball standards. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers before choosing Auburn, and his eligibility window is limited to two years, which adds a little urgency to whatever role he carves out. For a Tigers team trying to solidify its front line, his arrival gives the roster a bigger presence inside and another option to lean on as the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]