Nick Savage, former Florida strength coach, reportedly a candidate to join SEC West program

Nick Savage may be staying in the SEC. The former Florida strength coach is reportedly a candidate for the position at Ole Miss, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz. 

Savage worked with Dan Mullen from 2014-21. He joined Mullen’s Mississippi State program as an assistant strength coach in 2014 and became MSU’s head strength coach in 2016. Savage followed Mullen to Florida. 

Gator players publicly campaigned for Savage to remain at UF, but new head coach Billy Napier hired Mark Hocke for that same position. 

Defensive lineman Zach Carter was one of the players who spoke out about wanting Savage to stay. 

“Because of how much Coach Savage means to us. Coach Savage, we spend the most time with him because he’s our strength coach. So Coach Savage has a lot of close relationships with us and he really takes the time to get to know players and he really pours into the players,” he said, per Rivals. “So, as y’all see, a lot of guys are tweeting today about keeping Savage. He’s had a big impact on a lot of players here and former players. So guys around here love Coach Savage.” 

But it wasn’t meant to be and now Savage is free for Lane Kiffin to pursue to come to Oxford. We’ll see if Savage finds himself on the other side of the Egg Bowl rivalry.

SOURCE: Mickles, Stacey. "Nick Savage, former Florida strength coach, reportedly a candidate to join SEC West program." Saturday Down South, 31 January 2021, https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/florida-football/nick-savage-former-florida-strength-coach-reportedly-a-candidate-to-join-sec-west-program/ 

Veteran journalist Stacey Mickles graduated from the University of Alabama and covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.

COMMENTS 
mrtruth 19 HOURS AGOGood luck to Savage! Great name for a strength coach. LOG IN TO REPLY

Tidefan8x5 18 HOURS AGOLOL! Yeah, it is. LOG IN TO REPLY

Growl 19 HOURS AGOSavage was a favorite for Florida players. Didn’t think the Gators looked like physical beasts on the field.In today’s game it’s important to have coaches that appeal to players so I was sorry to see him go. Hope under Kiffen it shows that Savage’s work does show up on game day. LOG IN TO REPLY

upstategator 19 HOURS AGODon’t confuse his job with those that were suppose to line up players on the field and teach fundamentals. I’ve seen the pics, I’ve seen the videos and have heard from some that were close to it, Savage absolutely transformed these kids. He was the ONLY coach from the old staff worth keeping. Ole Miss is getting a good one. LOG IN TO REPLY

tailwhip99 17 HOURS AGOI’ve never known a strength coach that’s gotten as much publicity as Savage. I couldn’t name the strength coach at any of the top ten programs in the country, so i assume it’s best if they stay behind the scene. I know the players really liked him but i didn’t see us over-power any team we played. Body building isn’t the same as strength training. Not a knock just an observation. LOG IN TO REPLY

LizardLover 13 HOURS AGOAgree, 100%!!! LOG IN TO REPLY

upstategator 13 HOURS AGOHad nothing to do with players liking him. Again, he wasn’t responsible for teaching blocking & tackling. LOG IN TO REPLY

NashvilleGator 43 SECONDS AGOYeah, I don’t think the Gators were soft. I think they had lazy technique, were often out of position and were smallish at linebacker. The first two problems are on-field coaching. The last is recruiting. 

NashvilleGator 4 MINS AGOHe got so much attention because of his last name, and because the previous S&C staff was missing in action. The S&C coach spends more time with the players than any other coach, so it’s understandable that an incoming coach would want his own guy. Wish Savage all the best.