Patrick Nix Named Offensive Coordinator
Jan. 20, 2007
Coral Gables, Fla. (www. hurricanesports.com) – – Patrick Nix has been named the new offensive coordinator at the University of Miami. Considered a rising star in the coaching ranks, Nix inherits a unit that returns nine starters, including two highly touted quarterbacks, one of the nation’s top young running backs, and an offensive line that returns four starters.
“We’re happy that we have a great new offensive coordinator, an energetic person who brings a lot of ideas to this program and to this team,” said Hurricanes head coach Randy Shannon. “He knows the ACC and he knows how to win as both a quarterback and as a coach. As a former defensive coordinator myself, you always judge a coach on what they present. Patrick Nix did a great job against us last year adjusting to what we did as a defense. And, as we adjusted on defense, he adjusted on offense again to keep us off-balance. Imagine what he’ll do against other defenses.”
Nix, 34, was a star quarterback at Auburn and still ranks as one of the top all-time passers in Auburn history. He came to Miami after five seasons at Georgia Tech, including the last three as offensive coordinator. He also coaches the quarterbacks, his former position as a player. In 1996, the Yellow Jackets won the ACC’s Coastal Division and finished with a 9-5 record. Nix coached one of the most explosive offenses in the conference, and the team’s 25 passing touchdowns led the ACC. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson was a consensus All-American after catching 76 passes for 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns, and running back Tashard Choice led the conference in rushing and was selected All-ACC after gaining 1,473 yards and scoring 12 TDs. His quarterback, Reggie Ball, led the ACC with 20 touchdowns passes, and in the Gator Bowl with Ball sitting out, Nix guided backup Taylor Bennett, who passed for 326 yards and three touchdowns.
Nix joined the Georgia Tech staff in 2002, serving as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator for a year and then running game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2003 before being promoted to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
In 2001, Nix was the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Samford University.
Prior to his one season at Samford, Nix was the head coach at Henderson State, a Division II school in Arkadelphia, Ark., for two years (1999-2000). Under Nix, the Henderson State offense set 18 school records, four Gulf South Conference records and three national records.
Nix began his coaching career with a three-year stint at Jacksonville State, serving as running backs coach in 1996 and as quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator in 1998. He helped the Gamecocks improve from 1-10 in 1997 to 7-4 in 1998.
A native of Attalla, Ala., Nix was a standout quarterback at Auburn, where as a sophomore he was part of the Tigers’ 1993 squad that posted a perfect 11-0 record. He quarterbacked a victory in relief over Alabama that season. Nix started in 1994 and ’95. He led the team to a memorable win over top-ranked Florida in 1994 and as a senior was a team captain, guiding Auburn to an 8-4 record. He received the team’s Pat Sullivan Award for Offensive Player of the Year and the Cliff Hare Award as the school’s Student-Athlete of the Year. Nix finished his playing days as the Tigers’ career passing efficiency leader while passing 4,957 yards and 31 touchdowns. He ranks among the top five in school history in numerous statistical categories.
Nix’s father, Conrad, is a longtime high school coach and won the 2006 Georgia Class AAAA state championship at Northside High in Warner-Robins. Nix earned a degree in secondary education from Auburn in 1995. He and his wife, Krista, have three children: Emma, Bo, and Caleb.
Nix’s Coaching Career
2004-2006 Georgia Tech (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks)2003 Georgia Tech (running game coordinator/quarterbacks)2002 Georgia Tech (running backs/recruiting coordinator)2001 Samford (wide receivers/recruiting coordinator)1999-2000 Henderson State (head coach)1996-1998 Jacksonville (Ala.) State (quarterbacks/passing game coordinator, running backs)
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