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| Lock Haven athletics file photo |
The Defiance athletic department has announced the elevation of Bill Nickell as the next football head coach. He will be the program's fifth head football coach in seven seasons.
He replaces Earnest Wilson, who left for a minor league football head coaching job in a league which has yet to start up. Wilson took over as interim head coach late in the summer of 2021.
Defiance was 1-9 last season. The Yellow Jackets open the 2022 season at Mount Union.
"I'm excited for Coach Nickell and football program," said Defiance athletic cirector Derek Woodley. "He has a tremendous amount of experience along with a deep passion for Defiance College. We look forward to watching the program continue to improve under his leadership."
Nickell brings of wealth of knowledge and experience as a coach and a player to the football program.
Prior to arriving to Defiance as the offensive coordinator, offensive line and tight ends coach this past winter, he was the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator at NCAA Division I FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff. During the 2021 season, he helped lead the team to SWAC West champions, a Top 25 FCS ranking for time in school history, an undefeated regular season for the first time in school history, and had the most all-conference selections in school history.
He also spent five seasons at NCAA Division II program Lock Haven where he was the assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, strength and conditioning coordinator, and in 2019 was the interim head coach.
As a coach, Nickell has been recognized for his coaching achievements throughout his career including being named a finalist for the 2019 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, a 2017 AFCA Top 35 Under 35 Selection, 2016 American Red Cross "Spirit of a Hero" Award, and the American Red Cross "Community Impact" Award.
"First off, I would like to thank my wife and family for their continuous love and support," said Nickell. "I would also like to thank Defiance College and the DC community, for the opportunity to lead the football program and rebuild the Yellow Jackets championship tradition. It is apparent to me that the support from the alumni and administration are in place to build a successful program. I am beyond excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes."
Defiance also holds a special place for Nickell as both of his parents, Walt Nickell ('86) and Angela (Klima) Nickell ('82), are graduates of the college.
Bill graduated from Urbana in 2011 with a bachelors in education and is in the process of getting his master's degree from Kent State in sports management.