"Half" Of Ole Miss Team Is Threatening To Transfer After Firing Of Matt Luke

Matt Luke is done at Ole Miss. I can't say I'm surprised. In his third year as head coach, the Rebels finished 4-8. Even post-Hugh Freeze sanctions, that is unacceptable. 

Apparently, this came as a surprise to the Ole Miss team. 

SOURCE-The Ole Miss players aren't happy.

The University of Mississippi made the decision to move on from football coach Matt Luke on Sunday night after three years at the helm. Athletics director Keith Carter addressed the football team in the Manning Center on campus, explaining the direction he wants the program to go.

Carter's address didn't resonate with every player. A handful of players stormed out of Carter's meeting early.

Some were seniors who didn't have eligibility remaining, such as Myles Hartsfield and Willie Hibbler. But others were major contributors with eligibility remaining, such as running back Jerrion Ealy and defensive end Tariqious Tisdale.

Matt Luke was a players coach, so this reaction from his players isn't shocking, however, you'd think they probably saw the writing on the wall. 

After the meeting concluded, junior offensive lineman Chandler Tuitt said "half the team" is talking about leaving. Tuitt said if the entire coaching staff is dismissed along with Luke, he doesn't think many players will stay with the team.

Carter told the players the decision was for the program.

"But you realize, there's no program without players," Tuitt said. "You're basing stuff off the fans. But we don't care about the fans that much. I'm going to be honest. We're here for the coach. We love football. If you don't want to support us, that's just your fault."

"We don't care about the fans that much"

"There's no program without the players." 

I hate to break it to this offensive lineman on Ole Miss, but I'm sure the football program will be just fine without some of the players that led the Rebels to a 4-8 record. 

On another note: National Signing Day is 16 days away. Ole Miss better move fast in their search for a new coach. Losing a full signing class because you don't have a coach would be bad news.