'He brings the juice': Mizzou LBs praise coach Derek Nicholson
The Missouri Tigers were left in the lurch this offseason when linebackers coach DJ Smith took the defensive coordinator job at Appalachian State. So the Tigers turned to Miami and brought in the Hurricanes’ linebackers coach, Derrick Nicholson.
And since he took over the job, Nicholson has been making a strong impression on the room he now leads.
“It’s been great,” West Virginia transfer linebacker Josiah Trotter said of his relationship with Nicholson. “Ever since he got here, we’ve really got a close relationship. Especially with him already being a player and then, you know, having that experience, he played in the NFL. … (He’s a) player’s coach, it’s great to talk to him.”
Trotter has been around the linebacker position since he was born with both his father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., and older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
So having that experience at the position is key for Trotter. But another major part of coaching is being able to influence players off the field.
“He’s just helped me elevate my game so much as well,” Trotter said. “And just kind of just seeing things from a different perspective and asking me different questions. But, you know, my relationship with him has been great. Just helping me on and off the field. Not even just as a player, but as a man, a man of God.”
Trotter and Nicholson got to Columbia around the same time with the redshirt sophomore coming in through the transfer portal. But most of the Tiger linebacker room has carried over from Smith’s tenure.
And though he’s new, Nicholson has already had a major impact for some of the Tigers with longer tenures.
“That’s my guy man,” Missouri linebacker Khalil Jacobs said. “He’s a worker, too. When we’re doing drills, he’s often out there with us. He’s probably one of the loudest coaches on the team, just being able to motivate on both sides of the ball. Obviously, he’s gonna talk his stuff, but you know, he just wants what’s best for the team.”
And as Nicholson is helping the players improve, he’s always keeping the energy high in the room and on the team.
His addition to the linebacker room has already made an impact on multiple Tigers in a room filled with talent and potential.
“He brings the juice,” Missouri linebacker Triston Newson said. “He holds us to a standard. He’s gonna be somebody, he’s gonna be the reason why I’m gonna be better this year. So, love what he’s doing with us.”
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