Vanderbilt Football Promotes Nick Howell To Defensive Coordinator

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Nick Howell. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Vanderbilt head football coach Clark Lea has announced the promotion of Nick Howell to defensive coordinator.

Howell was hired in January as the team’s defensive backs coach after spending the previous six seasons as the defensive coordinator at Virginia. During his time there, the Cavaliers received a bowl bid in four seasons, highlighted by an ACC Coastal championship and Orange Bowl invitation in 2019.

“Nick brings a wealth of experience in the role of defensive coordinator, but more importantly, he is skilled at building an environment to drive the style of defense we want to see at Vanderbilt,” says Lea. “Nick will be an excellent culture builder for us and he has already started building relationships with our men. I’m excited to have Nick leading our defense and we’re looking forward to watching the unit progress under his direction.”

In his first two seasons at Virginia, the Cavaliers produced three first-team All-ACC selections in Quin Blanding, ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Brenton Nelson and Juan Thornhill. Linebacker Micah Kiser won the Campbell Trophy after leading the ACC in tackles for a third straight season.

Prior to his time with UVA, Howell spent nine seasons at BYU, rising up the ranks from defensive intern to defensive coordinator and helping the Cougars to eight bowl games. Howell’s final BYU defense in 2015 ranked sixth nationally in sacks per game, while his 2014 unit finished 20th nationally in rushing defense.

Howell got his coaching start at the high school level, serving as head coach and defensive coordinator at three Utah high schools before being hired at BYU. He graduated from Weber State in 2005 and received a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix in 2007.

The Commodores open the regular season Aug. 27, at Hawai’i before the home slate begins Sept. 3 against Elon.

Steven Boero
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