The University of Mississippi Athletics
Kiffin Completes His First Ole Miss Staff
1/18/2020 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin rounded out his first Rebel staff on Saturday, officially adding Terrell Buckley as cornerbacks coach and retaining Freddie Roach and Derrick Nix.
Roach will serve as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, while also coaching the defensive line for the Rebels. Nix will be in charge of the wide receivers group.
A native Mississippian, Buckley previously spent four seasons at Mississippi State coaching cornerbacks. During his time on the sidelines, Buckley has tutored 13 players who signed professional contracts, including most recently Jamal Peters (Indianapolis Colts) and 2018 NFL first rounder Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers). He was also instrumental in helping MSU haul in three straight top-25 recruiting classes.
With these final additions, Kiffin's coaching staff includes:
Terrell Buckley (Cornerbacks)
Randy Clements (Running Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
D.J. Durkin (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
Joe Jon Finley (Passing Game Coordinator/Tight Ends)
Blake Gideon (Special Teams)
Jeff Lebby (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
Derrick Nix (Wide Receivers)
Chris Partridge (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
Freddie Roach (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator)
Kevin Smith (Running Backs)
"This coaching staff represents the winning mentality we are establishing here, and I'm excited to get to work as a full group," Kiffin said. "We added dynamic recruiters, championship experience and outstanding football minds. This is a staff that will attract the best players in the country and help them reach their full potential."
Buckley's 2018 cornerbacks unit was part of arguably the most dominant defense in Mississippi State history. State's cornerbacks did not allow a touchdown during the 2018 regular season.
Prior to MSU, Buckley spent the 2014-15 seasons coaching cornerbacks at Louisville and helping the Cardinals to back-to-back bowl appearances, including a Music City Bowl victory over Texas A&M in December 2015. In both of Buckley's seasons, Louisville led the Atlantic Coast Conference in interceptions and turnovers gained.
Prior to Louisville, Buckley was a member of Terry Bowden's staff at Akron, coaching corners from 2012-13. Buckley got his coaching start after earning his undergraduate degree from Florida State in 2007. From 2008-11, he served in various assistant roles on Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher's staffs. During his Seminole coaching days, he worked closely with Xavier Rhodes and Patrick Robinson, both first round draft choices. Rhodes is a two-time NFL Pro Bowler, while Robinson won a Super Bowl.
After an illustrious collegiate career at Florida State, Buckley was picked fifth overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers and spent the next 14 seasons in the league. During his NFL career, Buckley amassed 50 interceptions. In 1996, Buckley led the league in interception return yards (164) and, as a rookie in 1992, set what remains a current record as the youngest player to return a punt for a touchdown. Buckley won a Super Bowl XXXVI with the New England Patriots in 2001.
Buckley, who was a two-year starter and three-year letterwinner at FSU, earned consensus All-America honors as a junior in 1991 and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. That same season, he finished seventh in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. Buckley left FSU as the program's all-time leader in interceptions (21) and interception return yards (501). He tied school records for touchdowns off interceptions (4) and punt returns (3). His interception return yardage still stands as an NCAA FBS record. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.
A native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Buckley guided Pascagoula High School to a 1987 football state championship and undefeated season. He was inducted into the Pascagoula Athletic Hall of Fame in June 2018. He was born in Columbia, Mississippi, and spent most of his childhood in Gautier.
Roach, who just wrapped up his third season as defensive line coach with Ole Miss, will now add assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator duties to his role with the Rebels.
Last season, Roach helped mentor second team All-SEC selection Benito Jones, as well as Josiah Coatney. Jones led the SEC and ranked fourth nationally with 23 defensive stops at the nose tackle position. Coatney led all Ole Miss defensive linemen with 46 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. The Ole Miss defensive line was a key unit for a 2019 Rebel defense that limited three straight opponents to under 70 yards rushing for the first time in 20 seasons.
During his first season in Oxford, Roach coached a pair of NFL Draft picks in Breeland Speaks (second round) and Marquis Haynes (fourth round). The duo combined for 14.5 sacks, and both Rebels earned second team All-SEC honors as part of the Landshark defensive line. Haynes went on to finish as Ole Miss' career leader in sacks (32.0) and tackles for loss (47.5) during the modern era.
Roach came to Oxford from Tuscaloosa, where he served on Nick Saban's Crimson Tide staff as director of player development since March 2015. Prior to Alabama, Roach spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as the defensive ends and outside linebackers coach at South Alabama. Roach helped the Jaguars end the 2013 season third nationally in sacks per game and 21st in tackles for loss per contest, while finishing second in the Sun Belt in pass, total and scoring defense.
As a player, Roach was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Crimson Tide from 2002-05, during which time he was named the National Freshman of the Year, a freshman All-American, was twice selected second team All-SEC and named to Alabama's All-Decade Team for the 2000s. He signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 2006.
Nix, who has spent the last 12 seasons as running backs coach for the Rebels, will serve as wide receivers coach in 2020. At Ole Miss, Nix has tutored some of the most productive playmakers in school history in Dexter McCluster, Brandon Bolden, Jaylen Walton, Jordan Wilkins and Scottie Phillips. In 2009, McCluster became the first player in SEC history with 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the same season.
Ever since his arrival in Oxford, Nix has been one of the best recruiters in the SEC. He is known for his strong recruiting in the state of Mississippi, and 247 Sports ranked Nix as the No. 21 recruiter in the country in 2014.
Before arriving in Oxford, Nix spent 2007 in the NFL as offensive assistant and quality control coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
Nix, one of the best-known players to ever wear a Southern Miss uniform, began his four-year stint on the Golden Eagles sidelines as a defensive graduate assistant in 2003. The following year, Nix was promoted to tight ends coach before being appointed to the running backs coaching position, where he spent two years.
Roach will serve as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, while also coaching the defensive line for the Rebels. Nix will be in charge of the wide receivers group.
A native Mississippian, Buckley previously spent four seasons at Mississippi State coaching cornerbacks. During his time on the sidelines, Buckley has tutored 13 players who signed professional contracts, including most recently Jamal Peters (Indianapolis Colts) and 2018 NFL first rounder Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers). He was also instrumental in helping MSU haul in three straight top-25 recruiting classes.
With these final additions, Kiffin's coaching staff includes:
Terrell Buckley (Cornerbacks)
Randy Clements (Running Game Coordinator/Offensive Line)
D.J. Durkin (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
Joe Jon Finley (Passing Game Coordinator/Tight Ends)
Blake Gideon (Special Teams)
Jeff Lebby (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
Derrick Nix (Wide Receivers)
Chris Partridge (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)
Freddie Roach (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator)
Kevin Smith (Running Backs)
"This coaching staff represents the winning mentality we are establishing here, and I'm excited to get to work as a full group," Kiffin said. "We added dynamic recruiters, championship experience and outstanding football minds. This is a staff that will attract the best players in the country and help them reach their full potential."
Buckley's 2018 cornerbacks unit was part of arguably the most dominant defense in Mississippi State history. State's cornerbacks did not allow a touchdown during the 2018 regular season.
Prior to MSU, Buckley spent the 2014-15 seasons coaching cornerbacks at Louisville and helping the Cardinals to back-to-back bowl appearances, including a Music City Bowl victory over Texas A&M in December 2015. In both of Buckley's seasons, Louisville led the Atlantic Coast Conference in interceptions and turnovers gained.
Prior to Louisville, Buckley was a member of Terry Bowden's staff at Akron, coaching corners from 2012-13. Buckley got his coaching start after earning his undergraduate degree from Florida State in 2007. From 2008-11, he served in various assistant roles on Bobby Bowden and Jimbo Fisher's staffs. During his Seminole coaching days, he worked closely with Xavier Rhodes and Patrick Robinson, both first round draft choices. Rhodes is a two-time NFL Pro Bowler, while Robinson won a Super Bowl.
After an illustrious collegiate career at Florida State, Buckley was picked fifth overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers and spent the next 14 seasons in the league. During his NFL career, Buckley amassed 50 interceptions. In 1996, Buckley led the league in interception return yards (164) and, as a rookie in 1992, set what remains a current record as the youngest player to return a punt for a touchdown. Buckley won a Super Bowl XXXVI with the New England Patriots in 2001.
Buckley, who was a two-year starter and three-year letterwinner at FSU, earned consensus All-America honors as a junior in 1991 and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. That same season, he finished seventh in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. Buckley left FSU as the program's all-time leader in interceptions (21) and interception return yards (501). He tied school records for touchdowns off interceptions (4) and punt returns (3). His interception return yardage still stands as an NCAA FBS record. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.
A native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Buckley guided Pascagoula High School to a 1987 football state championship and undefeated season. He was inducted into the Pascagoula Athletic Hall of Fame in June 2018. He was born in Columbia, Mississippi, and spent most of his childhood in Gautier.
Roach, who just wrapped up his third season as defensive line coach with Ole Miss, will now add assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator duties to his role with the Rebels.
Last season, Roach helped mentor second team All-SEC selection Benito Jones, as well as Josiah Coatney. Jones led the SEC and ranked fourth nationally with 23 defensive stops at the nose tackle position. Coatney led all Ole Miss defensive linemen with 46 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. The Ole Miss defensive line was a key unit for a 2019 Rebel defense that limited three straight opponents to under 70 yards rushing for the first time in 20 seasons.
During his first season in Oxford, Roach coached a pair of NFL Draft picks in Breeland Speaks (second round) and Marquis Haynes (fourth round). The duo combined for 14.5 sacks, and both Rebels earned second team All-SEC honors as part of the Landshark defensive line. Haynes went on to finish as Ole Miss' career leader in sacks (32.0) and tackles for loss (47.5) during the modern era.
Roach came to Oxford from Tuscaloosa, where he served on Nick Saban's Crimson Tide staff as director of player development since March 2015. Prior to Alabama, Roach spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as the defensive ends and outside linebackers coach at South Alabama. Roach helped the Jaguars end the 2013 season third nationally in sacks per game and 21st in tackles for loss per contest, while finishing second in the Sun Belt in pass, total and scoring defense.
As a player, Roach was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Crimson Tide from 2002-05, during which time he was named the National Freshman of the Year, a freshman All-American, was twice selected second team All-SEC and named to Alabama's All-Decade Team for the 2000s. He signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 2006.
Nix, who has spent the last 12 seasons as running backs coach for the Rebels, will serve as wide receivers coach in 2020. At Ole Miss, Nix has tutored some of the most productive playmakers in school history in Dexter McCluster, Brandon Bolden, Jaylen Walton, Jordan Wilkins and Scottie Phillips. In 2009, McCluster became the first player in SEC history with 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the same season.
Ever since his arrival in Oxford, Nix has been one of the best recruiters in the SEC. He is known for his strong recruiting in the state of Mississippi, and 247 Sports ranked Nix as the No. 21 recruiter in the country in 2014.
Before arriving in Oxford, Nix spent 2007 in the NFL as offensive assistant and quality control coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
Nix, one of the best-known players to ever wear a Southern Miss uniform, began his four-year stint on the Golden Eagles sidelines as a defensive graduate assistant in 2003. The following year, Nix was promoted to tight ends coach before being appointed to the running backs coaching position, where he spent two years.
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