OLE MISS

What those who know Matt Luke say about Ole Miss' interim coach

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Matt Luke spent his the past five years as Ole Miss' offensive line coach, now he's the head coach for the 2017 season.

OXFORD - Given his druthers, Matt Luke likely wouldn't have wanted this to happen under these circumstances.

But Hugh Freeze's stunning resignation has elevated Luke from Ole Miss' co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach to its interim coach for the 2017 season, which essentially serves as a 12-game audition for the permanent job.

Those who have coached with Luke, an Ole Miss alumnus and Gulfport native, played with him or played for him shed some light on what the Rebels' new leader is like with The Clarion-Ledger this weekend.

"He's a gritty veteran. When you think about it, if it's not 20 years, it's close to 20 years in coaching, which is unbelievable," said former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who ran behind Luke for a couple of seasons in college. "I have a lot of respect for him. There's one thing you can't question and that's his love for the university and those players because from his dad, to his brother, they've been Ole Miss through and through."

McAllister spoke with Luke Friday morning and told him he'd offer any support he could in wake of the sudden change.

Luke has had two stints as an assistant coach with the Rebels and is entering his 10th season with the program. He spent the past five seasons on the same staff with Dave Wommack, Ole Miss' former defensive coordinator who retired in November.

Wommack highlighted Luke's ability to find ways to be successful and his effort in the film room. But he singled out Luke's ability to connect with people.

"He has a great relationship not only with the offensive linemen but he's one of those coaches who I think is good at relating to the other side, both coaches and players," Wommack said. "I think Matt's a talented guy, too, he's sharp and knows football.

"I think the relationship thing comes first and that's why I think he's a good choice in this difficult situation."

Wommack labeled Luke as a coach "players can trust," and said Luke doesn't try to be somebody else.

Former Rebels offensive lineman Robert Conyers spent the past five seasons with Luke as well, so he knows what he brings to the table.

"He's like the most passionate dude I've ever been around," Conyers said. "Almost like every single game, you felt like he was out there playing with you. He was in the moment so much. He put that much effort, that much time into every single game. You're like man, he's in this with us every single game."

Conyers also expanded on Luke's knowledge of the game.

"I just don't think people understand the amount of energy and how schematically good of a coach he really is. People think he's just an offensive line coach," he said. "But that guy knows football in and out more than anybody I've met in my life. He puts so much time into film and everything it's kind of unbelievable how much football knowledge that guy has."

Luke has spent the past few years building depth for Ole Miss' offensive line. This season should be the Rebels' strongest line in awhile with four of five starters, led by Javon Patterson and Greg Little, returning from last season.

But obviously Luke's demands and focus are much greater as he sits on the throne for a program which just lost its head coach in sudden and embarrassing fashion two weeks before training camp, is coming off a 5-7 season and is facing potential heavy sanctions from the NCAA.

So it's a long road ahead in the months to come.

"It's probably not the way he wants to step into the role, but there's nobody more deserving in my opinion. I wholeheartedly believes if he does what I think he can do then he deserves to be his job," Conyers said. "He's earned that. That's not a personal bias. That guy just works hard ... I think it's going to reflect with a better season than everyone is thinking."

ContactAntonio Morales at 601-961-7117 oramorales2@gannett.com. Follow him onTwitter.