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The University of Mississippi Athletics
ASK OLE MISS: Houston Nutt Answers Your Questions
4/15/2009 | Football
ASK OLE MISS provides Rebel fans interactive opportunities with some of the key figures in Ole Miss athletics. The latest installment features Head Football Coach Houston Nutt. Questions were sent in by fans through OleMissSports.com over the past week, and Nutt has addressed many of those in the following Q&A.
Q: What is the biggest difference in starting your second year as head coach at Ole Miss as opposed to the first year?
The biggest difference is this time last year we were still feeling each other out, learning terminology, learning a new system, getting to know each other. This year, with one year under our belt, we're much further ahead. We understand each other much better. We can take off and learn quicker, learn more. The second year has just been so much easier because of the relationships.
Q: Do you think we will be to the point next year (from a player-ability and your own comfort standpoint) where we will be able to throw more out of the "Wild Rebel"?
Yes. We are always looking for ways to improve the "Wild Rebel," and throwing is what we're hoping we're going to get better at doing.
Q: How are you and your staff preparing our Rebels for all of this national attention?
We're in different, unchartered waters right now, that our guys haven't been in before. Where last year at this time the experts picked us last in the West or close to it, what we have to realize is the same experts have now picked us close to the top. So all that means nothing, and it's by hard work and by getting better.
Q: Is Markeith Summers improving this spring and do you think he could be a weapon for us this fall?
He is the guy that has to come on for us. He has had a very good spring. He is a deep threat, and everything is in front of him. I am excited about Markeith.
Q: How does this fall's team compare to your 2006 Arkansas team that went to the SEC Championship Game, which was labeled one of, if not the best team you had there?
Our defense may be a little bit faster; I know up front we are. The difference is as good as we've recruited on the defensive line in the past years, it's the opposite on the offensive line. We don't have the numbers that we have to have, so we have a very inexperienced offensive line now. Besides John Jerry, Daverin Geralds and Reid Neely, no one else has really played, so we really just have to keep developing depth. A lot of our freshmen will have to be backups.
Q: Has new defensive line coach Terry Price introduced any new techniques or brought a different coaching philosophy?
Terry has been a tremendous addition to our staff. He has brought some great ideas, some new techniques and has really developed some younger players. I think he has really helped Craig Drummond, Jerrell Powe, LaMark Armour, Gerald Rivers, those four guys especially.
Q: How long could you see yourself coaching at Ole Miss?
I always try to take one year at a time, and Diana and I never look for the next job. We've always been committed 100 percent to the job that we have, so I always take each job as my last one. I thought Arkansas was going to be my last job in college football, so now I think Ole Miss will be my last job in college football.
Q: Is Jerrell Powe reaching a point where he could contend to be a starter this season at tackle?
Jerrell Powe this time last year was 386 pounds, I am happy to report that today he is 329 pounds, so that's a big answer to your question. Yes he is going to be able to help us, because he has more endurance, he is more flexible, he is so much better at rushing a passer, he is so much better at getting off blocks, he's in better shape.
Q: Might we see the red jerseys more this coming fall? It looked awesome on TV against LSU.
I have gotten a lot of comments about our blue jerseys, and I have gotten a lot of comments about our white and red jerseys. So what I love is that we have such a beautiful uniform. It's a very clean look, great colors, represents our school, and I usually leave it up to the seniors. You just don't want to wear out anything. You don't want to wear red too much. The only reason I didn't wear red too much last year was because I came from a place with all red.
Q: What improvement have you seen in Jevan Snead's game this offseason?
He has made a huge jump in reading defenses. He is the type of quarterback that he can throw it anywhere, anytime. We have to get him to make sure he takes what the defense gives us and doesn't force it.
