A two-year starter at middle linebacker for the Seminoles, Nicholson led Florida State in tackles during his junior and senior season.[1] In 2008 Nicholson was named to the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Lists. Nicholson finished his college career with 207 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and two defensive touchdowns.[2]
Professional career
After not being selected in the 2009 NFL draft, Nicholson was signed by the Atlanta Falcons and participated in their mini-camp.[3]
Coaching career
Nicholson began his coaching career in the high school football ranks in North Carolina and Florida before moving onto the college coaching ranks. Nicholson spent 4 seasons at Southern Miss before returning to coach at Louisville, where he had coached in 2014.[4]
^Stipe, Zach (December 14, 2022). "Satterfield Announces Several Staff Hires". gobearcats.com. UC Athletics. Retrieved January 11, 2023. Nicholson spent the last three seasons at Louisville as the Cardinals' inside linebackers coach. He coached Momo Sanogo to All-ACC honors in 2022. Sanogo has 86 tackles and 8.5 TFLs this season. Nicholson came to Louisville for the second time after spending four seasons at Southern Mississippi, where he served as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2018-19) and defensive line coach (2016-17). A standout linebacker at Florida State, he finished his career with 207 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two defensive touchdowns, and was named to the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Watch Lists in 2008.
^"Derek Nicholson". gocards.com. Louisville Athletics. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
^Stipe, Zach (December 14, 2022). "Satterfield Announces Several Staff Hires". gobearcats.com. UC Athletics. Retrieved January 11, 2023. Nicholson spent the last three seasons at Louisville as the Cardinals' inside linebackers coach. He coached Momo Sanogo to All-ACC honors in 2022. Sanogo has 86 tackles and 8.5 TFLs this season. Nicholson came to Louisville for the second time after spending four seasons at Southern Mississippi, where he served as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2018-19) and defensive line coach (2016-17). A standout linebacker at Florida State, he finished his career with 207 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two defensive touchdowns, and was named to the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Watch Lists in 2008.