Ole Miss Football: Fan Emotions Mixed On Interim Head Coach Luke
On July 20, 2017 Ole Miss football named an interim head coach with a long Ole Miss lineage on his resume. Some fans aren’t too happy.
With the sudden departure of former Ole Miss football head coach Hugh Freeze most Rebel fans are in shock. Some are still too busy trying to wrap their minds around the Freeze resignation to even think about Matt Luke. Although he seems to be the perfect choice for the position on an interim basis, some Rebel fans disagree. Of course, there are some who believe he would be the perfect head coach.
The Luke family is very well-known among Ole Miss football faithful and rightfully so. The Luke’s have been a part of Ole Miss football for more than 50 years. Coach Luke’s father was Tommy Luke who played as a Rebel in the 1960’s and his brother was Tom Luke who was a Rebel quarterback. Of course, Matt played offensive tackle for the Rebels. So it appears he has the Rebel lineage to be head coach for Ole Miss football.
What Luke Brings
Ole Miss Rebels Football
Matt Luke brings 14 years of football at Ole Miss both as a player and a coach to his new position. Luke knows the program, history and the atmosphere of Ole Miss football on a personal level. He also knows the political landscape around Oxford and the impact of the ‘old guard’.
Take all that away and he still knows football and what it takes to run a collegiate program. Having an interim who has been around the locker-room and playing field and has built a presence will be greatly useful this season.
Also coach Luke made a very good impression in his first press conference as the 38th head coach in Ole Miss football history. Add to that his promotion of Wesley McGriff to assistant head coach and the hiring of Jack Bicknell Jr and Luke is off to a hot start.
Bicknell, who will be taking over Luke’s former offensive line coach position, brings over 31 years of experience to Ole Miss football.
What Luke Is Up Against
For now, interim head coach Matt Luke is in the proverbial drivers seat. Although Luke may have impressed the powers that be and most Ole Miss fans, this will be no joy ride. Luke is facing the impending doom of the NCAA for his first year as head coach. Can Luke keep his first team and staff together? Can he win with the talent he will have on both sides of the ball enough to bring in star athletes his first season?
There are no aspects of Ole Miss football which will not be affected by the COI ruling for years to come. We saw what the NCAA did in the Brewer Era and how it impacted the Ole Miss program for years. Maybe Matt Luke can take a good program and push it to the next level despite the obvious obstacles.
In Closing
Despite the rumblings of a few Ole Miss fans, Matt Luke will have a chance to prove himself in what he himself described as his dream job. I believe many fans are still just in shock over the Freeze resignation. They need to take a deep breath and appreciate what we may have in Matt Luke. He is by far the best option as an interim within the program. Of course Luke will be under the gun to knock out a punch list this upcoming season.
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Will Matt Luke be the guy to bring Ole Miss football back? None of us really know at this point, however I really like what I’ve seen and heard so far. I’m willing to give the guy a chance simply because he is part of a Rebel family and Rebel nation. We Are Ole Miss!