Derrick Nix has carved out a remarkable legacy in college football—first as a record-setting running back at Southern Miss and later as one of the most respected assistant coaches in the Southeastern United States. A native of Attalla, Alabama, Nix burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 1998, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year and All-America honors after rushing for 1,180 yards. Nicknamed the “Baby Bull” for his power and determination, Nix became the only player in Conference USA history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three separate seasons, finishing his career with 3,584 yards—just 12 shy of the school record—despite battling a life-threatening kidney disease that ultimately ended his playing days.

After receiving a kidney transplant from his brother in 2003, Nix transitioned to coaching, beginning at Southern Miss before embarking on a 15-year career at Ole Miss. At Ole Miss, he became a key figure in developing elite offensive talent, coaching standout running backs like Dexter McCluster and Brandon Bolden, and later mentoring All-American wide receivers such as Elijah Moore and NFL draftees Dontario Drummond and Jonathan Mingo. Known for both his player development and recruiting prowess, Nix was ranked among the top 25 recruiters in the nation by 247Sports in 2014.

In 2024, Nix joined Auburn University as Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach, continuing a career that has earned him admiration across the SEC. He was inducted into the Southern Miss Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013, named to the school’s Team of the Century, and honored as a member of the Conference USA Team of the Decade.

From overcoming personal adversity to shaping the careers of future stars, Derrick Nix’s journey is one of resilience, excellence, and lasting impact on the game of football.