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Ole Miss parts ways with offensive coordinator and assistant AD

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze will have two new coordinators in 2017. (Getty)
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze will have two new coordinators in 2017. (Getty)

Ole Miss will have two new coordinators in 2017.

The school said Thursday that offensive coordinator Dan Werner would no longer be a part of the coaching staff. The news of Werner’s departure comes after defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said he would retire at the end of the season.

“I am grateful to Dan for his contributions to our program,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement. “His leadership and experience were invaluable in the development of our quarterbacks. These are always very difficult decisions, but at this time, I believe it is best for our program to have a fresh approach. We wish Dan and his family the very best.”

Buried in the Werner announcement was the news that assistant athletic director Barney Farrar would not have his contract renewed. Farrar, the program’s assistant athletic director for high school and junior college relations, was reportedly on administrative leave. He was mentioned by first name in text messages that referenced the paying of bills between former offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and another member of the athletic department.

The Oxford Eagle said in November that Farrar was a “key figure” in the NCAA’s investigation into Ole Miss and potential illicit benefits to players and recruits.

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OIe Miss’ offense was No. 31 in the country in 2016 and averaged 6.16 yards per play as quarterback Chad Kelly missed the final three games of the season after suffering a torn ACL vs. Georgia Southern. The team averaged 6.7 yards per play in 2015 and scored nearly 41 points per game. Ole Miss averaged 32.6 per game in 2016.

The Rebels finished the season 5-7 and 2-6 overall and missed out on a bowl game after going to the Sugar Bowl in 2015.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!