Rebels give Nutt a fresh start

After 10-year stint at Arkansas, new Mississippi coach feels at home

Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt speaks to the media at the SEC football media days in Hoover, Ala. on Thursday, July 24, 2008.

Butch Dill/AP

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Written by SETH EMERSON

semerson@thestate.com

Posted on 08.01.08

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• AUDIO: Houston Nutt at SEC Media Days

Houston Nutt only expected a room full of media members when he walked into the press conference introducing him as Mississippi’s coach last December. He was ready for just another stuffy room, and a little better feeling than he’d had at Arkansas.

Instead, Mississippi invited fans to the Ford Theater in Oxford, letting about 1,500 people in, and turning away more than 500 more. Maybe the press was not happy, but for Nutt — who spent his last few years at Arkansas dealing with hostile fans and unhappy boosters — it was perfect.

“I can’t tell you how we felt that day,” Nutt said. “That was a day full of goosebumps, just re-energized us from that moment forward.”

It was a fresh start for Nutt, who coached the Razorbacks for 10 years.

And it may have been just what Mississippi needed. Previous coach Ed Orgeron recruited well in his three years, but went just 10-15 on the field. The Rebels hope a coach with Nutt’s track record — he was 75-48 at Arkansas — can capitalize on Orgeron’s recruiting record.

“When you walk into a room, you ask how many of y’all have been to a bowl game, not one student-athlete can say, I’ve been to a bowl game,” said Nutt, who coached the Razorbacks to eight bowls. “To me that motivates me.”

Rebels defensive tackle Peria Jerry said Nutt had already had a calming effect on the players.

“Everybody’s settled in with him. You talk to coach Nutt like he’s just another guy you’ve been around a long time. You’re comfortable around him,” Jerry said. “He’s a team player, he just talks about everybody sticking together as a family. I think that’s one of the biggest things that we’ve improved on.”

To fill out his staff, Nutt brought in two men with ties to the school or state. Former USC defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix will handle those duties (Nix played and coached at Southern Miss.). Former Mississippi quarterback Kent Austin was hired as Nutt’s offensive coordinator, leaving the Canadian Football League.

But do the new coaches have the talent to win right away? That may be tough.

Nutt acknowledged that Orgeron did “an excellent job of recruiting,” then added that there were “some holes.” The Rebels have potential stars in defensive end Greg Hardy, left tackle Michael Oher and Jerry, but inexperienced players in other spots.

The offense will be intriguing to watch. Quarterback Jevon Snead transferred in from Texas, where he played in eight games. Tailback Enrique Davis, who originally signed with Auburn before attending prep school, is highly-regarded. Nutt also likes the Rebels’ speed at receiver.

But according to Nutt, talent is not the biggest obstacle to a quick turnaround. After all, this is a program that has not had a winning season since Eli Manning left.

“You just take your experiences and hopefully you try to change a mindset that won’t accept losing,” Nutt said. “Just because you change the bus driver doesn’t all of a sudden mean, hey, we’re going to start winning games now.”

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.

About the Rebels

COACH: Houston Nutt (first year at Mississippi)

2007 RECORD: 3-9 overall, 0-8 in the SEC

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Jevon Snead (transfer from Texas), WR Mike Wallace (716 receiving yards, seven TD in 2007), LT Michael Oher (preseason All-SEC first-team), DE Greg Hardy (SEC-leading 10 sacks).

THE SKINNY: The Rebels may be the most intriguing team in the West. Does a better coach plus highly-rated recruiting classes mean immediate success? It might, but not right away. The Rebels could spring a few upsets, but if Nutt thinks they “have a few holes,” the Rebels’ goal will probably be just getting to a bowl.

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