Nicholson will replace DJ Smith, who took the defensive coordinator position at Appalachian State in December.
Less than a month after Mizzou linebackers coach D.J. Smith took the defensive coordinator position at his alma mater, Appalachian State, Eli Drinkwitz has found his replacement.
Per multiple reports, MU has hired former Miami (FL) linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Derek Nicholson to replace Smith.
Missouri is expected to hire Miami’s Derek Nicholson as its new linebackers coach, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Nicholson was co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Miami the last two years after previously working at Louisville. (ESPN 1st).… pic.twitter.com/KDLVYgXIYL
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 16, 2025
Nicholson was with the Hurricanes for the past two seasons; the title of co-defensive coordinator was added prior to the 2024 season.
The North Carolina native played at Florida State from 2006-08, leading the Seminoles in tackles in ‘07 and ‘08. His 2008 season was especially great, as he registered 15 tackles for loss and two fumble return touchdowns. Although he received looks from the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks following his time in Tallahassee, and NFL career never materialized, and he began coaching at the high school level back in his home state.
He was hired in 2013 to be Akron’s linebackers coach; he then spent a season each at Louisville and Alcorn State before going to Southern Mississippi in 2016. There, he coached the linebackers, defensive line and became co-defensive coordinator in 2018. In 2020, he returned to Louisville as its linebackers coach and spent three seasons there before taking the same position with Miami (FL).
While the hire has yet to be confirmed by Mizzou, it would fill the only coaching hole on MU’s defensive staff, as Smith was the lone assistant from the 2024 staff to leave Mizzou.