Ole Miss football coach Houston Nutt, shown during this spring’s Grove Bowl, was a guest at an Meridian Ole Miss Club event Wednesday night at Northwood Country Club.

    As the 2011 SEC media days kicked off in Hoover, Ala., on Wednesday, Ole Miss football coach Houston Nutt was found shaking hands and signing autographs, while mingling with Rebel fans at Northwood Country Club.

    Nutt, who is in his fourth year at the helm of the Ole Miss program, was on hand to speak to fans about the outlook of the program as well as its preparation for the upcoming football season. The event was hosted by the Meridian Ole Miss Club.

    “I think it’s really important to get out here and reach out to your fans,” said Nutt of speaking at the event. “They are always there for you and there’s nothing like getting out and talking about football right now. The fans are really excited about football and ready to go.”

    The Rebels captured back-to-back Cotton Bowls in 2008 and 2009, before a disappointing 2010 campaign. Ole Miss ended the season with a record of 4-8 (1-7 in SEC play), including a loss to Division I-AA Jacksonville State.

    Be that as it may, Nutt is very optimistic about the direction his team is heading leading up to this fall.

    “I’m excited,” added Nutt. “Anytime you come off a tough season after back-to-back Cotton Bowls, naturally it’s not what you want, but what I am excited about is our attitude and our work ethic. Our mindset and the way we are going about things right now, that’s what I’m excited about.

    “Now it’s time to get it done in two-a-days.”

    And it is in those two-a-day practices that Nutt will look to find a replacement for outgoing quarterback Jeremiah Massoli. West Virginia transfer Barry Brunetti, along with junior college transfers Randall Mackey and Zack Stoudt are all expected to seriously contend for the starting gig. Mackey, a NJCAA All-American, led East Mississippi Community College to its first state title in school history in 2009.

    “The competition for quarterback is really healthy,” noted Nutt. “Barry Brunetti is very good, Randall Mackey is really good, he was an all-american in junior college and you can see why. Zack Stoudt can really throw the ball as well.

    “It’s going to be exciting to see how it goes.”

    Nutt will take the podium at the SEC media days on Friday afternoon along with running back Brandon Bolden, defensive end Kentrell Lockett and offensive tackle Bradley Sowell.