Nutt agreed to a contract with Mississippi late Monday night, just hours after he announced his resignation at Arkansas. The hiring was confirmed by a person close to the program who didn't want to be identified because the announcement had not yet been made.
Ole Miss was searching for a proven winner after firing coach Ed Orgeron on Saturday. The Rebels finished winless in the Southeastern Conference for the first time since 1982 and appeared to take a step backward after three years under the former Southern Cal assistant.
Nutt neatly fits the description of the coach Ole Miss was looking for. He is 111-70 in 15 years as a head coach at Arkansas, Boise State and Murray State.
More importantly, he's been a winner in the SEC. The Little Rock, Ark., native rebuilt the Arkansas program, going 75-48 since his hiring in 1997 to replace Danny Ford. He was 42-38 in conference with one of his biggest wins coming last week when the Razorbacks beat No. 1 LSU 50-48 triple-overtime win.
While Arkansas is likely headed to the Cotton Bowl, Nutt will be going to the homes of recruits to try to hold together the promising class Orgeron was assembling.
Nutt, 50, said Monday he left Arkansas to help mend a split among fans after off-the-field problems were compounded by a difficult season. The Razorbacks started the year ranked and were expected to contend for the SEC West title against the Tigers.
Arkansas lost its first three SEC games and dropped out of the poll in September, fueling fan discontent over last year's transfer of quarterback Mitch Mustain.
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http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/11/204378