Several Ole Miss commits have decommited since coach Matt Luke was fired following an Egg Bowl loss to Mississippi State. An'Darius Coffey is not one of them.
The Winona senior is still firmly committed to Ole Miss and plans to sign during the early signing period that begins next Wednesday.
Coffey is pleased that Lane Kiffin has been hired as the new coach. “He has a good background. It’s going to be an honor to play for him. He has coached at some great schools.”
Concerning the firing of Luke, Coffey said, “It sucks, but you have to keep going. I hate to see him leaving, but I know that's part of the business. You can't get too high and you can't be too low. You have to keep an even keel.”
Since the firing, Coffey said he has heard from Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter, defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre, running backs coach Derrick Nix, and cornerbacks coach Charles Clark.
“They still want me to come. They want me to play for the school which is why I still want to go there.”
Coffey would like to see MacIntyre remain on the staff. “I feel he has done a good job this year.”
He has also talked to two other commits – defensive back Daran Branch from Amite, La. and linebacker Austin Keys from Seminary. They are also firm in their commitment to Ole Miss, according to Coffey.
Although Coffey has played quarterback for Winona the last two years, he was recruited by Ole Miss as a defensive back. He was also chosen for the Mississippi team in the Mississippi/Alabama All Star Game as a defensive back. To prepare for the game he has been going through daily defensive back skills and conditioning drills.
The All Star Game will be Saturday at the University of Southern Mississippi's M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Coffey was a defensive back for Winona as a sophomore before moving to quarterback. In two years as the signal caller, he totaled 6,952 yards and 85 touchdowns running and passing and led the Tigers to a 21-5 record.
He was named 3A Offensive Player of the Year.
