Ole Miss' new coach is its current coach. On Sunday night, Ole Miss plans removed the interim tag from coach Matt Luke's title and made things official.
ANNOUNCEMENT | Matt Luke has been officially named head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. Press conference Monday at 11:30am. #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/cS2w1LsPAi
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 27, 2017
You would have to think that with the current climate of the coaching carousel, mixed with the possibility of NCAA penalties hanging over the program, Ole Miss felt safer going with the known commodity than hitting the open market for a new coach.
Not that Luke didn't do plenty to earn the job this season. He stepped into a difficult situation following the removal of Hugh Freeze -- one that could have completely fallen apart -- and did an excellent job keeping things together given the circumstances.
The Rebels went 6-6 this season, finishing the regular season with a 31-28 win over rival Mississippi State on Thanksgiving night. They would be bowl eligible if not for a self-imposed ban.