Fuente hires Tyrone Nix as Tech's safeties coach

Former SEC defensive coordinator brings wealth of experience to Virginia Tech

June 14, 2018

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente announced Thursday that Tyrone Nix has accepted a role on Tech’s staff as safeties coach. Nix joins the Hokies after serving as a senior defensive analyst for Texas A&M in 2017. Owning over 25 years of college football experience as a coach and a player, his impressive resume includes stints as a defensive coordinator at both Ole Miss and South Carolina.

“Bud [Foster} and I both knew we wanted an experienced defensive coach and proven recruiter to fill this position on our staff,” Fuente said. “We will get that and much more with Tyrone Nix. We’re excited about his proven track record as a coach who can evaluate and develop talent. Just as importantly, we are always looking for individuals who can bring new ideas and concepts to our staff as we continually strive to evolve.

“We are looking forward to Tyrone and his family joining us in Blacksburg,” Fuente continued. “I’m confident that our student-athletes will be challenged by him, while he seeks to develop their full potential on a daily basis. Tyrone is a well-rounded, veteran football coach who will help make us better.”

Prior to his arrival at Texas A&M in 2017, Nix served five seasons at Middle Tennessee State, working as co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach from 2012-14 and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach from 2015-16. He tutored a pair of NFL Draft choices for the Blue Raiders in DT Jimmy Staten and S Kevin Byard, who earned a Pro Bowl berth following the 2017 season with the Tennessee Titans. Nix’s defenses consistently ranked in the nation’s top 25 in terms of forcing takeaways. The Blue Raiders tied for fifth in that department among FBS squads with 33 turnovers forced in 2013, a figure that ranked higher than all Power Five squads except for Arizona State and Oklahoma State, who also had 33.

A collegiate linebacker at Southern Miss, he embarked on his coaching career at his alma mater as defensive tackles coach at his alma mater in 1995, beginning a decade-long run that also saw him coach outside linebackers (1996-99) and defensive backs (2000). He was elevated to defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach, a position he held from 2001-04.

From 2001-03, Southern Miss ranked in the top 15 in the nation in both scoring defense and pass efficiency defense each season. In his 10-year period at Southern Miss, he mentored 12 All-Conference USA selections, four Conference USA Defensive Players of the Year and six All-America selections, while also being named a finalist for Broyles Award in 2003. Southern Miss also enjoyed team success, winning four Conference USA titles and earning seven postseason bowl berths. His many notable pupils coached in Hattiesburg included a pair of future NFL Pro Bowl performers in CB Patrick Surtain and LB Adalius Thomas.

Nix enjoyed his initial stint as a defensive coordinator in the Southeastern Conference, serving in that role and also coaching linebackers for head coach Steve Spurrier at South Carolina (2005-07). A pair of Gamecocks, CB Johnathan Joseph and S Ko Simpson, were selected in the NFL Draft. In addition, Simpson earned All-America accolades. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 2006 as South Carolina’s defense surrendered a mere 18.7 ppg., an improvement of 4.5 ppg fewer than 2005 despite returning just one starter to his defense. In 2007, the Gamecocks led the SEC and ranked fifth nationally in pass defense, allowing just 168.8 ypg.

The Attalla, Alabama native served as defensive coordinator under Houston Nutt at Ole Miss (2008-11) on a staff that also included current Tech assistant James Shibest. In 2008, his unit ranked fourth in the nation in rushing defense (86.5 ypg), led by All-America DT Peria Jerry, who was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and future All-SEC DT Jerrell Powe. The 2009 campaign saw the Rebels post 92 tackles for loss and 34.0 sacks, totals that ranked first and second in the SEC, respectively. Nix’s defenses helped lead Ole Miss to consecutive Cotton Bowl appearances in 2009 and 2010. He added the title of assistant head coach to his responsibilities for the 2010-11 seasons.

Fuente indicated that with the hiring of Nix, Justin Hamilton will return to his previous role of director of player development – defense for the Hokies. Hamilton had been serving as interim defensive assistant coach in order to provide Tech a full complement of 10 assistant coaches during the spring.

Nix and his wife, Toya, have two children – a son, Ty and a daughter, Tiah.

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