Losing JaMarcus Shephard was a tremendous blow to Kalen DeBoer's Alabama coaching staff. The Tide's WR coach accepted the head coaching job at Oregon State. Alabama didn't just lose a highly thought of teacher; it also lost one of its best recruiters.
Finding an assistant with SEC ties who could recruit on the same level as Shephard was a big priority for DeBoer, and he did just that on Tuesday.
According to multiple reports, former Auburn OC Derrick Nix will be Alabama's new WR coach, replacing Shephard.
Alabama is expected to hire Derrick Nix as its new wide receivers coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 16, 2025
Was offensive coordinator at Auburn the last two seasons. Before that, was assistant head coach and receivers coach at Ole Miss. pic.twitter.com/mQzdIwUYTG
Nix spent the last two years as the offensive coordinator and RBs coach for Hugh Freeze at Auburn. He spent 16 years at Ole Miss prior to that at multiple positions, most recently as the Assistant Head Coach and WR coach from 2020-2023 under Lane Kiffin.
Nix is a native of Attala, Alabama, and played college football at Southern Miss. Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack was coached by Nix at Southern Miss in 2007.
Nix brings a wealth of experience with him to Tuscaloosa. It's who he might bring with him that could be even more intriguing for Alabama.
Could Derrick Nix bring Malcolm Simmons and/or Cam Coleman to Alabama with him?
Alabama could be active in the Transfer Portal for a wide receiver to replace Germie Bernard. They could also lose a WR or two via the portal themselves. The Crimson Tide only signed one WR (4-star Cederian Morgan) in the 2026 class, so DeBoer may have no choice but to go to the portal to add some depth to the room.
One of Auburn's top receivers from 2025 - Montgomery native Malcolm Simmons - has already announced his intentions to enter the Transfer Portal. Simmons has some game-breaking speed that could be a perfect addition to an Alabama offense that has lacked explosiveness.
Despite being limited by mediocre play at QB, Simmons has produced back-to-back 450-yard receiving seasons for Auburn. Once Jackson Arnold was benched, Simmons flourished at the end of the 2025 season, producing consecutive 140+ yard games against Mercer and Alabama.
Simmons will get a lot of attention in the portal, but he could be intrigued by working directly with his Auburn OC. He is also a former high school teammate and friend of Cederian Morgan, giving him even more incentive to end up in crimson.
Of course, the bigger fish to fry would be if Auburn star WR Cam Coleman decided to enter the portal. The Phenix City native has impressive physical tools and is a perfect fit for DeBoer's system in Tuscaloosa.
If Coleman hits the portal as some expect, however, he will command a price tag that Alabama may not be willing to pay. That could make Simmons a more realistic possibility.