Ole Miss Football: Four Candidates to Replace Dan Werner

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) leads the offense onto the field during the second quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss football offensive coordinator Dan Werner was let go on Thursday, here are some of the names we are hearing might replace him.

The Ole Miss football team released their offensive coordinator, Dan Werner, on Thursday morning.

Some of the names that have been mentioned are big time hires that would surely promote the Ole Miss offense.

With Shea Patterson, DK Metcalf, AJ Brown, and D’Vaughn Pennamon, the new OC will have a lot of talent to work with when he gets here.

He will also be tasked with recruiting on the offensive side of the ball. Cam Akers will be his first big-time test on the offensive recruiting side of things.

Ole Miss has been making some heavy changes on the coaching staff this offseason, and it appears that more changes are to come. Changes were definitely needed on both sides of the ball.

This release of Werner appears to be more of a “recruiting” decision, than a “coaching” decision. Werner called plays very well when he was allowed to, but struggled with recruiting.

Along with Werner, recruiting assistant Barney Farrar was also released by the program.

Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Cougars assistant coach Major Applewhite after a game against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Houston defeated Florida State 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Major Applewhite | University of Houston | Offensive Coordinator

Quick Stats:

Total Offense: 34th in the nation

Passing Offense: 15th

Rushing Offense: 87th

Passing Yards per game: 301.9

Rushing Yards per game: 157.3

Passing Success Rate: 48.4% (13th in the nation)

Rushing Success Rate: 41.6% (84th)

Salary: $375,000

Pros:

Major Applewhite was one of the main reasons behind the successful Houston offense. The Cougars were constantly ranked very high on most offensive stats.

While Applewhite is more of a passing coordinator, one would think he would love to coach Shea Patterson and those receivers Ole Miss has to offer.

Applewhite was not considered to follow Tom Herman to Texas, following an incident with a student staffer he had.

Lane Kiffin has been the reported head coach at Houston, and while I think Kiffin and Applewhite could work it out together, I also see Kiffin wanting to handle the play calling himself.

Ole Miss has made the state of Texas an important piece to the puzzle ever since Freeze came to Ole Miss.

Hiring Applewhite can only help with recruiting in the state of Texas. Especially if they pull a miracle and hire Charlie Strong as the new defensive coordinator.

Cons:

Are there any? Applewhite is a proven offensive coordinator who uses the spread offense to his advantage.

But can he recruit well? That is what hurt Werner, was his inability to recruit on the road. While this was absolutely not his fault, that does not help him.

Oct 29, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II (5) in the pocket in the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Morris | Texas Tech University | Offensive Coordinator

Quick Stats:

Total Offense: 1st

Passing Offense: 1st

Rushing Offense: 123rd

Passing Yards per game: 463

Rushing Yards per game: 101.5

Passing Success Rate: 49.5% (10th)

Rushing Success Rate: 46.5% (37th)

Salary: $520,000

Pros:

Ole Miss fans might remember Eric Morris from the 2008 Cotton Bowl, where he caught 10 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown against the Rebels.

Morris has been the offensive coordinator for Texas Tech for the past three seasons. In those three seasons, the Texas Tech offense has been one the best offenses in the nation. They constantly rank in the top 5 in passing offense.

Giving Morris Shea Patterson and the rest of the offense would be deadly against the SEC, but he would most likely need to incorporate the run into his offense.

Cons:

The rushing attack at Texas Tech has been horrible for the past three seasons under Morris. All they do is pass. It made Patrick Mahomes a star, but can Morris implement the run into his offense at Ole Miss?

Sep 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receivers coach Tee Martin during the game against the Idaho Vandals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tee Martin | University of Southern California | Offensive Coordinator

Quick Stats:

Total Offense: 28th

Passing Offense: 38th

Rushing Offense: 38th

Passing Yards per game: 261.7

Rushing Yards per game: 207.3

Passing Success Rate: 51.3% (8th)

Rushing Success Rate: 46.6% (36th)

Salary: Undisclosed

Pros:

What is not to love? Tee is one of the best coordinators in the nation. He has one of the most balanced attacks in football. He is also the #1 recruiter in the nation, year in and year out.

Cons:

He runs more of a pro-style offense, which does not fit what Freeze has been building at Ole Miss.

He isn’t going to leave USC for Ole Miss, sorry Rebel fans. Martin is a “candidate” in my eyes, but he is the ceiling. Martin is probably in line for a head coaching gig in the future.

Sep 17, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Marcquis Roberts (5) tackles Memphis Tigers wide receiver Anthony Miller (3) during the first half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Chip Long | University of Memphis | Offensive Coordinator

Quick Stats:

Total Offense: 33rd

Passing Offense: 20th

Rushing Defense: 78th

Passing Yards per game: 294.9

Rushing Yards per game: 166.5

Passing Success Rate: 46.0% (21st)

Rushing Success Rate: 41.4% (88th)

Salary: $345,000

Pros:

Chip Long has been the offensive coordinator at Memphis for one season, a season where they went 8-4 and gave Ole Miss a run for their money earlier in the season.

Long is considered one of the top recruiters in the country, a point of emphasis for Freeze and the staff this year.

His offense is pretty balanced but leans towards the pass more often. Something I could see Freeze enjoying.

Cons:

Long does not have much experience as an offensive coordinator, which could be a risk for Ole Miss to hire him.

I like the Long hire, but it is a risk for Ole Miss.