Derek Nicholson - Football Coach - University of Louisville Athletic

Derek Nicholson

Title:
Assistant Coach/Inside Linebackers
Email:
derekn@GoCards.com

Derek Nicholson was added to the staff in January of 2020 as the inside linebackers coach with the Cardinals.

Nicholson tutored linebacker C.J. Avery to lead the team in tackles in each of his first two seasons, and also saw Avery earn all-ACC honorable mention honors in 2021.

The first season saw Nicholson make an immediate at the inside linebacker position.

He guided Monty Montgomery to his best season, leading the team in sacks for the second consecutive season, while his counterpart Dorian Etheridge inked a free-agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Nicholson comes to Louisville for the second time after spending four seasons at Southern Mississippi – two seasons coaching the defensive line and serving as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He spent the 2014 season at the University of Louisville, coaching outside linebackers/defensive ends on a defense that ranked fifth in the country in total defense, lead the nation in interceptions, were ninth in total sacks and fourth in rush defense.

A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., assisted with a defense that led Conference USA and finished 18th nationally in rushing defense. The Golden Eagles finished third in the league and 37th in the country in total defense in helping the team to an appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Under Nicholson’s tutelage, linebacker Hayes Maple was named to the Conference USA all-Freshman squad after finishing with 31 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

With Nicholson coaching the linebackers in 2018, the Golden Eagles established themselves with one of the nation’s top defenses, finishing third in total defense, sixth in rushing defense, 11th in passing defense, and 19th in scoring defense. Two of his linebackers, Racheem Boothe and Sherrod Ruff, were named Conference USA honorable mention.

Before joining the Southern Mississippi staff, Nicholson spent one season tutoring the defensive line at Alcorn State, leading the team to a Southwestern Athletic Conference title and working with a defense that finished fourth in the country in sacks and fifth in tackles for loss. Four of his defensive linemen registered seven or more sacks.

Nicholson worked one season Akron coaching linebackers in 2013, developing a pair linebackers that earn first and third team Mid-American Conference honors. It marked the first time since 2010 that Akron placed a first-team linebacker, and the first time since 2001 that the Zips had multiple linebackers on the All-Conference team.

He began his coaching career in 2011, coaching high school football in both North Carolina and Florida.

A standout linebacker at Florida State, Nicholson finished his career with 207 tackles, 25.5 TFL, three sacks and two defensive touchdowns, and was named to the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Watch Lists in 2008.

Nicholson led the Seminoles leading tackler for two consecutive seasons, recording 99 in 2007 and 81 during the 2008 campaign. He recorded 15.5 TFL in one season in 2008 which ranked him tied for 10th in FSU history. He also scored two defensive touchdowns in one season, and finished ranked fourth best all time in one season at FSU as a defender. In 2008, he garnered All-ACC honors and was a member of the All-ACC academic team during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

He earned his undergraduate degree in sport management in just three years in December 2008. He was an undrafted free agent signee by the Atlanta Falcons and played for them in 2009 before a career-ending knee injury.

Nicholson and his wife, Onnie, a former soccer athlete at Florida State and with the USA National Team, have three children: Alana, Dace and Amaya.