Nutt gives nod of approval on Hokies hiring Nix

Former Ole Miss head coach praises new VT safeties coach

June 15, 2018

Photo credit: Ole Miss Athletics

Head coach Justin Fuente added Tyrone Nix to the Virginia Tech coaching staff this week and there was no shortage of positive reviews for the hire in the coaching fraternity or among Nix’s former pupils.

Nix served as a defensive coordinator for both head coach Steve Spurrier at South Carolina and for head coach Houston Nutt at Ole Miss. During his tenure in Oxford, Mississippi the Rebels made a pair of Cotton Bowl appearances. In total, the Attalla, Alabama native has been associated with 15 teams that have played in a bowl during his professional career.

“He’ll bring a lot of energy to the practice field,” Nutt told HokieSports.com. “He’s a fabulous teacher of the fundamentals and your players are going to enjoy playing for him. He’s tough and he’s experienced. Tyrone will be an excellent fit in Blacksburg. In addition to his talent as a coach, he’s also an outstanding recruiter. I’m excited to see him join the staff at Virginia Tech.”

Fuente cited both Nix’s experience as a defensive coach and his proven track record as a recruiter when making the hire. At every stop of his coaching journey, Nix has not only helped defenses improve, he also has an excellent track record of preparing players for the next level. Former Middle Tennessee State standout Kevin Byard earned a Pro Bowl berth for the Tennessee Titans last season following an eight-interception campaign.

Kevin Byard (@KB31_Era) is ready to lead the way in 2018 #TitanUp

All-Pro - Pro Bowl - What's Next? 📰 » https://t.co/fFIbpN3qi0 pic.twitter.com/QJiHGulu6S

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) June 13, 2018

Nix’s litany of standout pupils isn’t limited to just the secondary. DT Peria Jerry earned All-America honors for him at Ole Miss and was a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2009. Linebackers like Jasper Brinkley and T.J. Slaughter have also thrived under his tutelage.

However, coaching defensive backs has been especially bright spot during Nix’s quarter century in the coaching profession. Dating back to the start of his coaching career at his alma mater of Southern Miss, his corners and safeties have been synonymous with success in the NFL ranks. Southern Miss standout CB Patrick Surtain was second-round pick of Miami in 1998 and went on to earn three Pro Bowl berths. South Carolina CB Jonathan Joseph was a first-round pick of Cincinnati in 2006 and is still going strong in the league with the Houston Texans.

In addition to Byard, the list of safeties coached by Nix and subsequently selected in the NFL Draft includes the likes of Jamarca Sanford, Kendrick Lewis, Ko Simpson and Chad Williams.

Here’s a closer look at just a few of Nix’s former players who have enjoyed success at the next level.

PROMINENT NFL PUPILS

CB: Fred Bennett: D4-2007 – Houston
49 NFL games (17 starts) from 2007-10

LB: Jasper Brinkley: D5-2009 – Minnesota
94 NFL games (42 starts) from 2009-15

S: Kevin Byard: D3-2016 – Tennessee
All-Pro, Pro Bowl selection with eight-INT season in 2017

LB: Jasper Brinkley: D5-2009 – Minnesota
94 NFL games (42 starts) from 2009-15

DE: Greg Hardy: D6-2010 – Carolina
One Pro Bowl, Panthers (2010-14), Cowboys (2015)

DT: Peria Jerry: D1-2009 – Atlanta
First-team All-America pick; Falcons (2009-13)

CB: Jonathan Joseph: D1-2006 – Cincinnati
Two-time Pro Bowler; Bengals (2006-10), Texans (2011-18)

S: Kendrick Lewis: D5-2010 – Kansas City
Chiefs (2010-13); Texans (2014), Ravens (2015-16)

DL: Cliff Matthews: D7-2010 – Atlanta
35 NFL games with Falcons (2012-16)

CB: Captain Munnerlyn: D7-2009 – Carolina
Panthers (2009-13, ‘17-18); Vikings (2014-16)

DT: Jerrell Powe: D6-2011 – Kansas City
Chiefs (2011-13), Texans (2014)

S: Jamarca Sanford: D7-2009 – Minnesota
95 NFL games (46 starts) from 2009-15

S: Ko Simpson: D4-2007 – Buffalo
41 NFL games with Bills (2006-08) and Lions (2009).

LB: T.J. Slaughter: D3-2000 – Jacksonville
78 NFL games (32 starts) from 2000-06.

DT: Jimmy Staten: D4-2014 – Seattle
Super Bowl XLVIII champion with Seahawks

CB: Patrick Surtain: D2-1998 – Miami
Three-time Pro Bowler; Dolphins (1998-04), Chiefs (2005-08)

CB: Cassius Vaughn: FA-2010 – Denver
69 career NFL games (23 starts) from 2010-15

S: Chad WIlliams: D6-2002 – Baltimore
79 career NFL games with Ravens (2002-05), 49ers (2006)

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