Ole Miss DC Dave Wommack to retire

OXFORD - Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack will retire at the end of the 2016 season, the school announced an hour before kickoff for the Egg Bowl on Saturday.

Wommack has been the Rebels' defensive coordinator since 2012. In 2014, Wommack helped Ole Miss finish No. 1 in the country in scoring defense and allowed the fewest touchdowns in the country with 24.

“I'm grateful to God for more than 38 rewarding years as a college football coach,” Wommack said in a statement. “I worked alongside remarkable men to shape the lives of my players for the better. I'll carry with me the relationships and lessons this game has given me as I look forward to enjoying this next chapter with my family.”

But the defense hasn't met the standard it set the past two seasons this fall. The Rebels have allowed an average of 32.1 points per game entering Saturday.

The defense has struggled mightily against the run and have gone through growing pains in the secondary. Ole Miss ranks 12th in the SEC in scoring and total defense. It ranks 12th in rush defense and 10th in pass defense.

Wommack has coached linebackers this season too, and he previously coached safeties during his Ole Miss tenure.

He came to Ole Miss with Hugh Freeze from Arkansas State.

“I am grateful to Dave for the outstanding leadership he provided our student-athletes and the positive influence he was for our staff,” Freeze said. “I learned so much from him about the coaching profession and will always appreciate his friendship.”

Wommack also had coaching stops at Georgia Tech, Southern Miss, Arkansas and South Carolina.

Contact Antonio Morales at amorales2@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @AntonioCMorales on Twitter.