Ole Miss signs Nutt to one-year extension

Dec 6, 2008 - 6:49 PM OXFORD, Mississippi (Ticker) -- When Mississippi coach Houston Nutt guides the Rebels into their bowl game, he will have additional job security.

Nutt and the school have agreed in principle on a one-year extension that will keep him under contract at the school through 2012.

"Under Houston Nutt's leadership, the Ole Miss football program is returning to a position of national prominence," Rebels athletic director Pete Boone said Friday.

"The quality of his assistant coaches and his ability to motivate are essential tools to having a successful program. Over the next few years, we expect to see significant results from the foundation which has been built this year."

In his first season, Nutt guided the Rebels to an 8-4 record, including wins over Florida and Louisiana State. Ole Miss finished in second place in the Southeastern Conference's West Division with a 5-3 league mark.

Prior to this year, the Rebels had endured four straight losing campaigns, including a 3-9 mark last season with no wins in SEC play.

Nutt engineered the best single-season turnaround at Mississippi since the debut of legendary Ole Miss coach John Vaught in 1947.

"I'm excited about the vision Pete Boone has," Nutt said. "This helps our recruiting and shows the direction our program is headed."

The Rebels concluded the regular season with a five-game winning streak and could be slotted into the Cotton Bowl.

"The Ole Miss community is excited about the football program and the leadership Coach Nutt has provided," Ole Miss chancellor Robert Khayat said. "I commend Pete Boone and Coach Nutt for their commitment to the long-term success of the program. All of us celebrate the wonderful year we have had and are looking forward to the bowl game."

Prior to taking the Mississippi job, Nutt posted a 75-48 record in 10 seasons at Arkansas.