May 1, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University has named Patrick Nix and Doug Meacham to its football staff, Samford Head Football Coach Pete Hurt announced Tuesday.

Nix, the former head coach at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark., will coach Samford's receivers. Meacham, Nix's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at HSU, will direct the offensive line for the Division I-AA Bulldogs.

"We are very pleased to have two quality coaches and individuals joining our staff," said Samford Head Coach Pete Hurt. "Obviously the offensive backgrounds of these two coaches stood out as we were looking to fill our positions, but I believe that they will benefit us in other areas as well. They are both experienced in recruiting, and both are quality people who will be a good fit at Samford."

A 1995 graduate of Auburn University, Nix comes to Samford after spending two seasons directing Henderson State. Nix was hired by Henderson State on Dec. 21, 1998, a 26-year-old who at the time was the youngest head coach in Division II. Nix immediately hired Meacham to serve as offensive coordinator, and the duo installed a pass-oriented offense that broke nine school passing and receiving records, broke four Gulf South Conference passing and receiving records and set two Division II national passing and receiving records during the 2000 season.

Prior to coaching Henderson State, Nix spent three years at Jacksonville (Ala.) State University where he coached running backs, quarterbacks and served as the passing game coordinator. Meacham, a 1988 graduate of Oklahoma State University, also served with Nix at Jacksonville State as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Under their direction, the duo helped the Gamecocks improve from 1-10 in 1997 to a 7-4 mark in '98, completing the most dramatic turnaround in Division I-AA football during that season. Additionally, the Gamecock offense broke 21 school passing and receiving records during their tenure.

Nix is Auburn's career passing efficiency leader with a 133.02 rating, and ranks in the Top 5 of ten other Auburn passing records. He also helped lead the Tigers to a perfect 11-0 record in 1993. He was the captain of the 1995 Auburn team that finished 8-4, and he won the Pat Sullivan Award for Offensive Player of the Year as well as the Cliff Hare Award for Student-Athlete of the Year.

Prior to his tenure at Jacksonville State, Meacham also coached at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga., where he worked with the program from its inception in 1991. In his six years at GMC, he served as offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator.