TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels looks on during warmups prior to facing the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Lane Kiffin Hires Alabama Standout To Ole Miss Coaching Staff

In the wake of Corey Dennis leaving the program to join Tulsa, Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels have hired William Vlachos as an analyst, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reports.

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"Ole Miss is expected to hire William Vlachos as an analyst, sources tell @247Sports. The former Alabama All-SEC center had been on staff at Western Kentucky as a blitz and run game specialist. He previously worked for Alabama, the Buffalo Bills, Colorado, and Central Michigan," Zenitz wrote. 

Vlachos, a former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman, worked with Western Kentucky in 2023 as a defensive run game and pass rush coordinator. 

During his playing career, he earned first-team All-SEC honors with the Nick Saban-led Crimson Tide. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He never took a regular-season snap. 

Immediately after his brief NFL stint ended, Vlachos became a graduate assistant at Alabama before becoming an analyst. 

He left for the NFL to join the Buffalo Bills in 2018 as an assistant. 

There was a one-year gap after that season. He returned to coaching in 2020 with the Colorado Buffaloes. Vlachos, 35, worked with the offensive line and was a defensive blitz specialist in 2020 and 2021. 

Finally, he was with Central Michigan in 2022 to work with the offensive line and, as mentioned, with Western Kentucky last season. 

While with the Crimson Tide in a coaching capacity, Kiffin was the offensive coordinator. 

In addition to Vlachos, Kiffin announced the hiring of Zach Arnett as an analyst. He came over from Mississippi State. 

"I've had a lot of respect for Zach and thought they did a great job over there in Starkville during his time on defense and caused people problems," Kiffin said Wednesday. "So, had been in discussions. Actually today I think is his first day."

Last year, the Rebels won 11 games, and they hope to improve on that with another year of Jaxson Dart's service. 

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