Ole Miss has a new defensive coordinator.
After firing DC Wesley McGriff following the 2018 season, the Rebels have hired Mike MacIntyre to fix what was one of the nation’s worst defenses. MacIntyre spent the last 6 seasons as the head coach at Colorado with an overall record of 30-44.
SportsTalk Mississippi’s Brian Scott Rippee is reporting that MacIntyre has agreed to a 3-year deal worth $1.5 million per year.
This will be MacIntyre’s second stint with the Rebels. The first came from 2001-2002 when he served as the DB coach. MacIntyre left Ole Miss and worked in the NFL as a DB coach for the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets. MacIntyre returned to the college game in 2008 to serve as the DC at Duke under former Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe.
“I could not be more excited to add Mike’s leadership, values and high-level experience to our program,” Luke said. “Throughout our years together at Duke and Ole Miss, I have seen firsthand his ability to turn around a defense, and I look forward to seeing his veteran influence on that side of the ball. Mike is also a tremendous recruiter and should make an immediate impact as we assemble this important class.”
MacIntyre is ready to return to Oxford and put his stamp on the Rebel defense.
“I am honored and excited to have this opportunity,” MacIntyre said. “From our time working together, I have a lot of respect for Matt as a coach and as a man. The future is bright under his leadership, and I look forward to working with the players to help take this program to the next level.”
After Duke’s defense steadily improved under MacIntyre, he accepted the head coaching job at San Jose State before moving on to Colorado.
The Rebels gave up an average of 483 yards per game in 2018 and ranked 121st in the nation in total defense, leaving just eight teams below them.
The 2019 Rebel defense got a big boost on Friday as DT Benito Jones announced that he will be returning for his senior season.
