Ole Miss will lift Matt Luke’s interim tag and name the lifelong Rebel head coach following Thursday’s Egg Bowl victory. The team met at 8:15 Sunday evening and the news was made official 15 minutes later. Sources are reporting his deal will be worth approximately $9 million over the course of four years.
After taking over in July under unusual circumstances, Luke and his Rebel team were 3-5 heading into the month of November but finished on a 3-1 run that culminated in a statement Egg Bowl victory on Thanksgiving night.
Finishing 6-6, Ole Miss ended the year one win better than its 2016 record and would have been bowl eligible, but a self-imposed bowl ban will keep the school from participating in postseason play. While the season was a roller coaster, Luke had his players outwardly calling for the 41-year-old to be hired full-time at the season’s conclusion.
Now in his 14th year as a player or coach at the university, Luke has been preparing for what he called his “dream job” his whole life. However, the state of the program he is set to take the keys to is unknown, as the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions has yet to hand down a ruling on the 21 charges against Ole Miss.
